International Classification of
Epilepsies & Epileptic Syndromes
(simplified, syndromes commonly seen in infants omitted) |
| 1. Localization Related (Focal,
partial) |
| 1.1 |
 | Idiopathic with age related onset
 | Benign Childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (Rolandic seizures):
 | common, onset 3-13 yo, occurs at night |
| EEG: high amplititude sharp in central-temporal area |
| Autosomal dominant for EEG trait, <25% has seizure |
| Prognosis good, resolve by 15 yo |
|
| Childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms
| less common, daytime seizure, visual symptoms followed by complex partial
seizure, headache. |
| EEG: bilateral high amplititude, spike & wave discharges occipital region. |
|
|
|
| 1.2 |
| Symptomatic: most common syndrome in adults
| some common causes: vascular, infectious, tumors, degenerative, congenital brain
abnormality, traumatic, idiopathic |
|
|
| 2. Generalized |
| 2.1 |
| Idiopathic, with age related onset
| Childhood absence epilepsy
| EEG 3 Hertz spike & wave |
|
| Juvenile absence epilepsy |
| Juvenile Myoclonic epilepsy
| Onset teenage years, may have Myoclonic, absence & GTC seizures. |
| Poor response to Tegretol, Dilantin. Valproic effective. |
|
| Epilepsy with grand mal seizures on awakening |
|
|
| 2.2 |
| Idiopathic and/or symptomatic |
|
| 2.3 |
| Symptomatic |
|
| 2.3.1 |
| Nonspecific etiology |
|
| 2.3.2 |
| Specific syndromes |
|
| 3. Undetermined as to focal or
generalized |
| 3.1 |
| With both generalized & focal seizures
| Epilepsy with continuous spike waves during slow wave sleep |
| Acquired epileptic aphasia (Landau-Kleffner syndrome) |
|
|
| 3.2 |
| Without unequivocal generalized or focal features |
|
| 4. Special syndromes |
| 4.1 |
| Situation-related seizures
| identifiable situations: stress, hormonal changes, drugs, alcohol, sleep
deprivation |
|
|
| 4.2 |
| Isolated, apparently unprovoked epileptic events |
|
| 4.3 |
| Epilepsies characterized by specific mode of seizure precipitation |
|
| 4.4 |
| Chronic progressive epilepsia partialis continua of childhood |
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| Further reading
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