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Epilepsy Medicine Glossary

100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

Functional hemispherectomy

Advanced Technical IVT

A surgical procedure that disconnects one brain hemisphere while leaving most tissue in place. Used for severe hemispheric epilepsy.

Showing 25–48 of 100

Engel Classification

Advanced Technical IVT

A standardized outcome scale for measuring seizure control after epilepsy surgery.

Technical Term Full entry →

Epilepsy monitoring unit

Intermediate Technical

A specialized hospital unit for continuous video-EEG monitoring of patients with epilepsy. Essential for presurgical eva...

Technical Term Full entry →

Epilepsy surgery candidacy

Intermediate Technical IVT

Clinical assessment determining if a patient with epilepsy is suitable for surgical intervention.

Technical Term Full entry →

Epilepsy syndrome

Intermediate Technical IVT

Constellation of clinical features including seizure types, EEG patterns, imaging findings, and other characteristics th...

Technical Term Full entry →

Epileptic encephalopathy

Advanced Technical IVT

A condition where epileptic activity itself contributes to cognitive and behavioral impairments that worsen over time.

Clinical Concept Full entry →

Epileptic focus

Intermediate Technical IVT

The specific brain region where seizures originate. Essential concept in presurgical planning and localization studies.

Technical Term Full entry →

Epileptic spasms

Advanced Technical IVT

Brief seizures characterized by sudden flexion or extension movements, typically occurring in infants with epileptic enc...

Technical Term Full entry →

Epileptiform

Intermediate Technical IVT

EEG waveforms that resemble epileptic activity but may occur in both epileptic and non-epileptic contexts.

Technical Term Full entry →

Epileptiform abnormalities

Intermediate Technical IVT

EEG patterns resembling epileptic activity but not necessarily representing actual seizures.

Technical Term Full entry →

Epileptiform discharge

Advanced Technical IVT

Abnormal EEG pattern resembling epileptic activity but not necessarily associated with clinical seizures.

Technical Term Full entry →

Epileptogenesis

Professional Technical IVT

The process by which a normal brain develops epilepsy after an initial precipitating injury.

Technical Term Full entry →

Epileptogenic zone

Advanced Technical IVT

Brain region where seizures originate and whose complete resection is necessary for seizure freedom.

Technical Term Full entry →

Epileptologist

Intermediate Technical IVT

A neurologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and seizure disorders.

Technical Term Full entry →

Febrile seizure

Intermediate Technical IVT

A seizure that occurs in young children in association with fever, typically between 6 months and 5 years of age.

Clinical Term Full entry →

Focal seizure

Intermediate Technical IVT

Seizure originating from a localized brain region.

Technical Term Full entry →

Functional hemispherectomy

Advanced Technical IVT

A surgical procedure that disconnects one brain hemisphere while leaving most tissue in place. Used for severe hemispher...

Technical Term Full entry →

Gelastic seizure

Advanced Technical IVT

A type of focal seizure characterized by inappropriate laughter or giggling, often associated with hypothalamic hamartom...

Technical Term Full entry →

Gelastic seizures

Advanced Technical IVT

Seizures characterized by inappropriate laughter or smiling, often associated with hypothalamic hamartomas.

Clinical Term Full entry →

Generalized epilepsy

Intermediate Technical IVT

A form of epilepsy where seizures originate from both brain hemispheres simultaneously. Distinguished from focal epileps...

Technical Term Full entry →

GTCS

Intermediate Technical IVT

Generalized tonic-clonic seizure involving stiffening and rhythmic jerking.

Abbreviation Full entry →

Hippocampal sclerosis

Advanced Technical IVT

Neuronal cell loss and gliosis in the hippocampus, the most common pathology in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Technical Term Full entry →

Hypsarrhythmia

Professional Technical IVT

A chaotic, disorganized EEG pattern with high-voltage, multifocal spikes characteristic of West syndrome.

Technical Term Full entry →

Ictal

Professional Technical IVT

Relating to or occurring during a seizure event.

Technical Term Full entry →

Ictal EEG

Intermediate Technical IVT

EEG recording captured during an actual seizure event, showing characteristic electrical patterns.

Technical Term Full entry →
Showing 25–48 of 100

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