TREATMENT OF DROP ATTACKS WITH NIFEDIPINE - A CASE-REPORT

Drop attacks are sudden, unexpected, nonsyncopal falls, which are not preceded or accompanied by loss of consciousness, dizziness, lighthead edness, or loss of balance. They can be a manifestation of epilepsy, b rain stem tumors, and a variety of other conditions. In the elderly, t hey have been associated with vertebrobasilar insufficiency, cervical spondylosis, or both. However, the specificity and etiology of drop at tacks have come under some scrutiny in recent years. The patient descr ibed in this case report experienced frequent drop attacks that were e ffectively prevented with nifedipine. Possible pathophysiologic mechan isms are discussed and the relevant literature is reviewed.