Pseudoseizure: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: aka psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Pseudoseizure are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Sensitive and Specific Findings

96%

98%

by history

Study: Neurologist. 2008 Jul;14(4):266-70. PMID: 18617856

Specific Findings

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Ictal Stutter	9%	100%	repeated utterances of initial phonemes or words during a seizure, either spontaneously or in response to questioning, which was not present interictally Study: Neurologist. 2008 Jul;14(4):266-70. PMID: 18617856
Transitional Objects	5%	99%	aka teddy bear sign Study: Neurologist. 2008 Jul;14(4):266-70. PMID: 18617856
Pelvic Thrusting Duplicate	17%	89%	any pelvic thrusting component in history, vs any kind of seizure Study: Neurologist. 2008 Jul;14(4):266-70. PMID: 18617856

Sensitive Findings

100%

20%

clinically observed pelvic thrusting. vs frontal epilepsy

Study: Neurologist. 2008 Jul;14(4):266-70. PMID: 18617856

Poorly Diagnostic Findings

78%

76%

predominant symptom (by history) is pelvic thrusting. vs frontal lobe epilepsy.

Study: Neurologist. 2008 Jul;14(4):266-70. PMID: 18617856

64%

74%

observed clinically

Study: Neurologist. 2008 Jul;14(4):266-70. PMID: 18617856