Table 1:
Features of Primary Generalized and Partial Epilepsies
Epilepsy
Primary Generalized Epilepsy
Focal or Partial
 
Seizure Features
Auras
Not present
Present
Prodrome
Occasionally present
Occasionally present
Starting with LOC
Present
Present
Starting with automatisms
Not usually present
Present
Prolonged postical confusion without generalization
Not usually present
Present
Generalized tonic-clonic seizure
Present
Present
True versive head movements
Not present
Present
Focal motor clonic or
tonic seizures
Not usually present
Present

Risk Factors for Epilepsy

Family history of seizures
May be present
Not usually present
History of CNS infections, significant head truama, febrile seizures, CNS tumors, CNS vascular malformation
Not usually present
May be present
Examination Findings
Neurologic examination
Usually normal
May be abnormal
Neuroimaging Findings
Brain MRI
Usually normal
May be abnormal
EEG Findings
Generalized epileptiform activity
Present
Not present
Focal epileptiform activity
Not present
Present
FOOTNOTES: LOC, loss of consciousness; CNS, central nervous system; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; EEG, encephalogram
Copyright 2002 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Return to Epilepsy Article