CLASSIFICATION OF EPILEPTIC SEIZURES - CO MPARISON BETWEEN 2 SYSTEMS

In spite of its universal acceptance, the international classification of epileptic seizures suffers from certain limitations. The fundament al divisions between partial and generalized seizures on the one hand and between partial simple and complex seizures on the other, are not always practical, nor useful. The terminology is often cumbersome, and does not contain essential localizing information. Finally, the seizu re classification is sometimes dependent on ancillary testing, particu larly the EEG. We propose a different seizure classification which ans wers the above shortcomings of the international classification, and w hich has been used for years in major epilepsy centers. In this system , the seizure classification is based exclusively on seizure symptomat ology. The terms are generally more concise than those of the internat ional classification, and yet convey more precise information. For exa mple, the term left visual aura --> automotor seizure --> generalized tonic clonic seizure would be equivalent to simple partial seizure wit h visual symptom evolving into complex partial seizure evolving into g eneralized tonic clonic seizure. The international classification is l onger and omits essential later-alizing information. This classificati on is easy to apply, and can be an extremely useful complement to the international seizure classification, especially for centers whose emp hasis is on surgical treatment of epilepsy.