| Abstrakt: |
It is impossible to tell whether a single convulsive seizure occurring in a given patient is destined to be his only seizure or whether it will prove to have been the first of a series. A study is made of 48 single or first seizures in patients who ranged in age from 2 to 66 years in an effort to identify factors that might have prognostic value. Of the 48, 13 had subsequent attacks. Thus, a single seizure should not be taken lightly, and an aggressive program of neurological and electroencephalographic diagnosis is called for. In some instances the diagnosis clearly calls for medical or surgical treatment, but in general the 27% likelihood that there will be at least one more seizure justifies anticonvulsant medication. If the patient is kept free from seizures for two years, it may be safe to carry out a gradual termination of the medication. |
