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The Syndromic Classification of the International League Against Epilepsy Applied to Epilepsy in a General Population

Mark Manford, MRCP; Yvonne M. Hart, MRCP; Josemir W. A. S. Sander, MD; Simon D. Shorvon, FRCP

Arch Neurol. 1992;49(8):801-808.

Abstract
• In this prospective, population-based study of 594 cases of newly diagnosed epilepsy, proportions in categories as defined by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) were as follows: (1) localization-related epilepsies: 1.1* idiopathic, 1.2%; 1.2* symptomatic, 16.2%; and 1.3 cryptogenic, 24.6%; (2) generalized epilepsies: 2.1* idiopathic (idiopathic generalized epilepsy) with 3-Hz spike and wave: absence epilepsy, 2.2%;juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, 1.5%; and nonspecific idiopathic generalized epilepsy, 5.6%; 2.3.1* symptomatic generalized epilepsies, 1.5%; 2.3.2* specific syndromes with generalized epilepsy, 0.3%; 3.2 seizures without unequivocal focal or generalized features, 32%; 4.1 situation-related syndromes, isolated seizures, 9.9%; seizures due to acute toxic or metabolic cause,* 4.5%. Only 33.6% were in diagnostic ILAE categories (asterisks) and many rare syndromes were not represented. The remainder (66.4%) were in various nonspecific categories. Only 24% of localization-related epilepsies could be clinically localized to a single ILAE-proposed site of origin and of these best localized cases, 14% had strongly discordant imaging or electroencephalograms. These major problems in applying the ILAE classification to epilepsy in the general population and its underemphasis of modern imaging techniques are discussed.

Author Affiliations
From the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Buckinghamshire, England.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication April 6, 1992.

Reprint requests to Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, England SL9 ORJ (Dr Manford).

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