Definition

• A seizure is a paroxysmal event due to abnormal, excessive, hypersynchronous discharges from an aggregate of central nervous system (CNS) neurons.
  • See Approach to Seizures for the general evaluation of seizures.
• Epilepsy is diagnosed when there are recurrent seizures due to a chronic underlying process.
• Generalized epilepsy is a chronic seizure disorder characterized by seizures that arise from simultaneous activation of diffuse regions of the bilateral cerebral hemispheres.
  • Bilateral clinical and electrographic events occur without detectable focal onset.
  • See Focal Epilepsy for a discussion of partial seizures and focal epilepsy.
• Generalized seizure classification includes:
  • Absence seizures (petit mal)
  • Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal)
  • Tonic seizures
  • Clonic seizures
  • Atonic seizures
  • Myoclonic seizures
• Epilepsy syndromes
  • Disorders in which epilepsy is a predominant feature and where there is sufficient evidence to suggest a common underlying mechanism
  • Major generalized epilepsy syndromes include:
    • Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME)
    • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

The excerpt above is an example of the information available at Harrison's Practice. For full access, please subscribe today! Subscribers, log into your account below.

Login User Name: Password: Forgot your password? Remember Me

About Harrison's Practice Harrison's Practice delivers practical, concise answers to your clinical questions in an innovative and easy-to-navigate format. Available anytime, anywhere on Web, Web Wireless, and PDA, all for one subscription rate! To see a complete, unabridged topic click on any of the Free Topics below: Community-Acquired Pneumonia Cough Status Epilepticus Hypoglycemia Pancreatic Cancer Learn more