Defining the Seizure Type
Why is this important?
• Because it is going to help us figure out what kind of epilepsy the patient has and that will tell us a lot in terms of which medication/s we can and cannot use, as well as what we can expect for the future (prognosis).
• Because it could also help us understand where the seizures are coming from; this would be key if we are considering epilepsy surgery as a treatment option.
How do we determine the seizure types that the patient is having?
• By taking a detailed history
• By obtaining an EEG. Most of the times a routine EEG might not be enough and a longer EEG will be necessary. Video-EEG is by far the best tool to confirm seizure types
How are seizures classified?
• Generalized-onset seizures (the entire brain is activated at the same time)
• Partial-onset seizures (start from a specific part of the brain).
• Some seizures do not fit in either of those categories and are labeled “unclassified”