Late onset epilepsy

Abstract

Cases (253) of late onset epilepsy was studied prospectively: 27 cases (10.7%) had space-occupying lesions, 19 (7.5%) had cerebrovascular disease, 13 (5.1%) had cerebral cysticercosis and 4 (1.6%) had diffuse cerebral atrophy. No cause could be detected in 190 cases (75.1%). Analysis of clinical data and radiological studies showed that a majority (85%) of patients with tumor who presented with epilepsy had focal neurological deficit and/or papilloedema. Focal slow-wave abnormality in EEG also gave an indication of an organic lesion. Patients who had epilepsy for > 1 yr, infrequent attacks and partial complex seizures were less likely to have a tumor. The role of careful clinical examination is stressed.