Question

Epileptic (epileptogenic) potential is present in which of the following inhalational anaesthetic agents?

• A. Desflurane
• B. Halothane
• C. Sevoflurane
• D. Ether

Hint:

Think of the volatile agent linked to EEG spikes during hyperventilation and fast mask induction.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To answer this, recall the EEG behaviour of each volatile anaesthetic. We are looking for the drug that can trigger spike-and-wave or seizure-like cortical activity. Sevoflurane stands out here: during deep anaesthesia, fast mask induction, and especially when the patient is hyperventilated to a low arterial carbon dioxide level, it can generate epileptiform discharges on the EEG and occasionally frank convulsive movements. Because of this property, anaesthetists are advised to use it cautiously in epileptic patients and to avoid excessive hyperventilation. By contrast, desflurane and halothane do not carry this seizure-provoking reputation, and ether is not classically epileptogenic. The single volatile agent most notorious for seizures is enflurane, but it does not feature in the options, so the best available choice is sevoflurane. This confirms the printed key. $Sevoflurane$ is therefore the agent with epileptogenic potential among the four.\[\boxed{\text{Sevoflurane}}\]