Triphasic Waves on EEG

Topic: Physiology

Created on Saturday, April 28 2007 by jdmiles

Last modified on Saturday, April 28 2007.

 
        A) Are associated with West syndrome
 
        B) Are pathognomonic for hepatic encephalopathy
 
        C) Are associated with hepatic encephalopathy
 
        D) Are associated with REM sleep
 
        E) Are associated with hypocalcemia
 

 

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This question was created on April 28, 2007 by jdmiles.
This question was last modified on April 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS

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A) are associated with West syndrome

This answer is incorrect.

Triphasic waves are not characteristic of West syndrome. They EEG pattern characteristically associated with West syndrome is hypsarrhythmia.  (See References)

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B) are pathognomonic for hepatic encephalopathy

This answer is incorrect.

Triphasic waves are not specific nor pathognomonic for hepatic encephalopathy.  (See References)

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C) are associated with hepatic encephalopathy

This answer is correct.

Patients with hepatic encephalopathy frequently have triphasic waves on EEG. However, triphasic waves are not specific for hepatic encephalopathy. Incidence of triphasic waves in hepatic encephalopathy is estimated to be about 25%.  (See References)

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D) are associated with REM sleep

This answer is incorrect.

Triphasic waves are not characteristic of REM sleep. In fact, in conditions where triphasic waves are characteristically seen, they attenuate during sleep.  (See References)

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E) are associated with hypocalcemia

This answer is incorrect.

Triphasic waves are not characteristic of hypocalcemia. The typical EEG finding in hypocalcemia is diffuse slowing.  (See References)

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References:

1. Ernst, M.D. Niedermeyer (Editor), Fernando Lopes, M.D., Ph.D. Da Silva (Editor), F. H. Lopes Da Silva (Editor). Electroencephalography: Basic Principles, Clinical Applications, and Related Fields. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (ISBN:9780781751261)	Advertising:
2. Levin, K.H., and Luders, H.O. (Eds.) (2000). Comprehensive Clinical Neurophysiology. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia.

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physiology
Triphasic Waves on EEG
Question ID: 042807067
Question written by J. Douglas Miles, (C) 2006-2009, all rights reserved.
Created: 04/28/2007
Modified: 04/28/2007
Estimated Permutations: 60480