Edinburgh Napier University

  Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition, with an estimated prevalence of about 0.75% in the developed world. With approximately 40 types of epilepsy seizure now defi ned, in addition to more than 30 epilepsy syndromes and conditions, it is more appropriate to refer to the epilepsies.

Epilepsy syndromes and seizure types have different prognoses and require different management strategies. Inaccurate diagnosis may result in suboptimal management. It is therefore essential to identify a person's epilepsy syndrome and seizure type as fully and accurately as possible through careful history-taking using a comprehensive understanding of seizure types and syndromes.

There is currently no international consensus on the classifi cation of epilepsy seizures and syndromes. Advances in technological, medical and biological knowledge have rendered the current classifi cation of epileptic seizures published by the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) in 1981 out of date, but despite ongoing debate, no replacement classifi cation has yet been accepted. A diagnostic scheme published in 2001 by Engel offers clinicians a more up-to-date terminological framework for use in clinical practice. It is important for nurses involved in the diagnosis and ongoing review of patients with epilepsy to understand the new and revised terms and concepts in the context of advances in the understanding of the neuropathophysiology of the epilepsies. Correct diagnosis of a patient's epilepsy is necessary for appropriate management.