skip to main content

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy — SCE Neurology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyEpilepsy & Seizure DisordersTemporal Lobe EpilepsySCE Neurology

A 19-year-old man presents with recurrent episodes of déjà vu followed by loss of awareness, lip-smacking and right hand automatisms lasting 60–90 seconds. EEG shows left temporal sharp waves. MRI reveals left hippocampal sclerosis. What is the most likely seizure type?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Focal impaired awareness seizure with temporal lobe onset

The clinical features of an aura (déjà vu), followed by impaired awareness with oral and manual automatisms, arising from the temporal lobe with supportive EEG (temporal sharp waves) and MRI (hippocampal sclerosis) are classic for focal impaired awareness seizures of temporal lobe origin. A: Absence seizures are generalised onset and typically brief (5–15 seconds) without automatisms of this nature. B: Focal aware seizures do not involve loss of awareness. D: There is no description of bilateral tonic-clonic activity. E: The EEG and MRI findings support epilepsy.

Reference: NICE NG217 (2025); ILAE Seizure Classification (2017)