Early terminology | Terminology currently in use | Suggested veterinary terminology 2015 | |
---|---|---|---|
EPILEPTIC SEIZURES | |||
An epileptic seizure with clinical signs indicating activity which starts in a localised area in the brain | Petit Mal | Partial/focal seizure | Focal epileptic seizurea |
Aura | - Simple partial/focal seizure (consciousness unimpaireda) | ||
-Will present with focal motor, autonomic or behavioural signs alone or in combination | |||
- Complex partial/focal seizure (consciousness impaireda) | |||
An epileptic seizure with clinical signs indicating activity involving both cerebral hemispheres from the start. -In dogs and cats the seizure presents predominantly as immediate ‘convulsions’ and loss of consciousness. Salivation, urination and/or defecation often also occur during convulsions. May also (but rare) present as atonic or myoclonic seizures | Grand Mal (always implicating convulsions) | Primary generalized seizure | Generalized epileptic seizure |
An epileptic seizure which starts in a localized area in the brain and spreads subsequently to involve both hemispheres. -In dogs and cats the seizure starts with localized motor, autonomic and/or behavioural signs rapidly followed by convulsions. Salivation, urination and/or defecation often also occur during convulsions. | Partial seizure with secondary generalization (secondary generalized seizure) | Focal seizure with secondary generalization | Focal epileptic seizure evolving to become generalized |
EPILEPSY | |||
Epilepsy classified by aetiology | Primary Epilepsy | Idiopathic Epilepsy | Idiopathic Epilepsy |
- Epilepsy where no structural cerebral pathology is suspected | - Epilepsy where no structural cerebral pathology is suspected. A genetic component may be involved | 1. Proven genetic background | |
2. Suspected genetic background | |||
3. Unknown cause and no indication of structural epilepsy | |||
Epilepsy classified by aetiology | Secondary or Acquired epilepsy | Symptomatic Epilepsy | Structural epilepsy |
- Epilepsy caused by identified cerebral pathology | - Epilepsy caused by identified cerebral pathology | - Epilepsy caused by identified cerebral pathology | |
Epilepsy classified by aetiology | Cryptogenic | Probably or possibly symptomatic epilepsy | Unknown cause |
- Meaning hidden | - A suspected symptomatic cause, which however remains obscure |