Partial/focal Seizures Sample Clauses

Partial/focal Seizures. Partial seizures begin in a localised region of the brain, and according to the 1981 ILAE classification scheme can be sub-divided into simple partial (no impairment of consciousness) and complex partial, with conscious awareness interrupted. These differing types are established by considering both ictal semiology and EEG data. Approximately 60-70% of focal seizures originate in the temporal lobe, (XXXXX and XXXXXX) with typical manifestations of simple partial temporal seizures including epigastric rising, flushing, sweating and Déjà vu. Another common type of seizure is the frontal seizure, which can take several different patterns, including thrashing of the arms and ictal aphasia and dysphasia. For an extensive review see (O'Muircheartaigh and Xxxxxxxxxx, 2012). In one review, 36/150 patients’ epilepsy were attributable in part or whole to the frontal lobe, (Xxxxxxx et al., 1992). Occipital and parietal seizures (Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx, 1993) are much less common and can manifest as somatosensory disturbances and visual hallucinations. Complex partial seizures are differentiated from simple partial based on an impairment of consciousness and are often accompanied by stereotyped automatisms such as (lip smacking) or vocalisations, the patient is generally amnestic to these automatisms. In 2010, the ILAE (Xxxx et al., 2010) proposed a slight tweak in the classification of seizures, with focal replacing partial seizures with no further subdivisions, with the addition of epileptic spasms as a third category alongside focal and generalised. One of the motivations for this change was the apparent difficulty in precisely defining impairment of consciousness. The ILAE feel that further division into simple and complex partial is artificial and that seizures should be described according to their semiologic features. For example a diagnosis in the new scheme approximating the current term simple partial, may be ‘focal seizures without impairment of consciousness or awareness with observable motor or autonomic components’. Again whilst this is still the subject of protracted debate, it is evident that partial seizures can manifest in a number of different forms. Focal seizures can develop and secondary generalise with up to 70% of patients with partial epilepsy experiencing a secondary generalised tonic clonic seizure at some point, (Xxxxxxxx et al., 1996).