Atonic seizure is a type of motor seizure characterized by a sudden loss or diminution of muscle tone without apparent preceding myoclonic or tonic event lasting about 1 to 2 seconds, involving head, trunk, jaw, or limb musculature.
Comment:
This term describes the initial semiology of the seizure without specifying whether the onset is focal or generalized. Thus it can be used for coding atonic seizures when the onset is not known.
Synonyms:
exact_synonym:
Astatic seizure; Atonic seizures; Hypotonic seizure; astatic seizures; drop attacks; drop seizures