interictal
Pronunciation: in-ter-IK-tal
Occurring or present between seizure episodes, when the patient is not actively seizing.
Full Definition
Interictal describes the period between seizure episodes when the patient is not experiencing active seizure activity. During interictal periods, patients with epilepsy may appear clinically normal, but EEG recordings often reveal abnormal electrical activity such as spikes, sharp waves, or other epileptiform discharges. These interictal abnormalities provide valuable diagnostic information about seizure focus location and help confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy. The frequency and distribution of interictal discharges can influence treatment decisions and surgical planning in medication-resistant epilepsy.
Usage
Usage note: The prefix 'inter-' means between; commonly used in epilepsy documentation.
In Context
- "Interictal EEG showed frequent sharp waves in the left temporal region." — Routine EEG report
- "The patient remained neurologically normal during interictal periods." — Clinical assessment