Epilepsy or epilepsies?

Epileptic disorders have been neglected for a long time by neurologists and practically ignored by pediatricians, satisfied with a diagnosis. of infan tile convulsions. Results of animal experimentation, huge progress in ancil lary tests,potent antiepileptic drugs and efficacious neurosurgical procedu res have considerably improved the condition of epileptic patients. However , much remains to be done, Even if numerous and varied, data given to physi cians and patients are still insufficient. Stigma linked to the word epilep sy is present in many cases. It adds a supplementary burden to people who a re not lacking in problems. Too often, epilepsy remains a word used in the singular, but epileptic seizure is not synonymous with epilepsy. The outcom e and hence the consequences of epilepsies are quite various. A diagnosis o f seizure may be difficult, and its classification not easy in all the case s. To place it in context, that is to find its causes and consequences is e ven more difficult. A good knowledge of epileptic disorders and efforts to use it are necessary, but one of them, or both, can be absent. This is unfo rtunate, because of the frequency and duration of conditions in which seizu res area symptom, and also because their outcome mostly depends on therapeu tic choices. Only clinical, pragmatic aspects of the issue are considered h ere.