A study of etiological aspect of epilepsy in non-paediatric patients

Background: Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by the recurrence of paroxysmal episode of abnormal neuronal function. Epilepsy brings in undesirable social, psychological and economical consequences to its patients. In contrast to early onset of epilepsy in childhood, late onset of epilepsy is usually symptomatic; which usually responds well to antiepileptic drugs.Methods: A prospective study of 75 patients of late onset epilepsy was carried out to ascertain the etiology and to evaluate the usefulness of neuroimaging in late onset epilepsy.Results: We found that majority (72%) of patients of late onset epilepsy were male. About 65% of patients had abnormal CT scan-brain findings. Generalized seizure was the most common seizure type with about 59% cases.Conclusions: Generalized seizures are more common in idiopathic group of epilepsy whereas partial with or without secondary generalized seizures are more common in the symptomatic late onset epilepsy. The new neuroimaging techniques should be an integral part of investigation work up in all cases of epilepsy as they make it possible to find out the etiology in majority of cases. In late onset epilepsy, diagnostic usefulness of EEG is corroborative to CT and MRI.