Definition

Noun: 1. A type of absence seizure characterized by additional neurological symptoms: A "complex absence" is a brief episode of impaired consciousness (an absence seizure) that is accompanied by other distinct clinical features beyond a simple lapse in awareness. These associated abnormalities can include a loss of muscle tone (atonia), automatic purposeless movements (automatisms), or changes in blood vessel activity (vasomotor changes).

Usage

• Medical Diagnosis: The term is used almost exclusively in clinical neurology to describe and classify a specific subtype of epileptic seizure.
• Distinction from Simple Absence: It is used to differentiate seizures with additional symptoms from "simple absence" seizures, which involve only a brief loss of awareness without other features.

Examples

• The neurologist reviewed the EEG and noted the patient's episodes were complex absences, characterized by lip-smacking automatisms.
• In children, a complex absence may manifest as a staring spell accompanied by a sudden drop of the head due to atonia.
• The presence of vasomotor changes, like flushing, helps to classify the event as a complex absence.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical Description: The term is part of a detailed clinical description of seizure semiology (the signs and symptoms of a seizure). For example: "The seizure was a complex absence with oro-alimentary automatisms and postictal confusion."

Variants and Related Words

• Absence seizure (n): The broader category of seizures involving brief lapses of consciousness, which includes both simple and complex absences.
• Atypical absence (n): A related but distinct type of absence seizure that usually lasts longer, has a less abrupt onset and offset, and often occurs in individuals with other neurological impairments.

Synonyms

• Absence with special features (descriptive synonym, less formal)
• Absence with automatisms/atonia (descriptive synonym specifying the accompanying abnormality)

Antonyms

• Simple absence (n): An absence seizure characterized by a brief impairment of consciousness without other associated symptoms like automatisms or atonia.

Noun

1. an absence seizure accompanied by other abnormalities (atonia or automatisms or vasomotor changes)