Conceptual dichotomies in classifying epilepsies:Partial versus generalized and idiopathic versus symptomatic(April 18-20,2008,Monreale,Italy)

摘要

The classification of epileptic syndromes and epilepsies (Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy, 1985, 1989) is based on two main dichotomies: partial versus generalized (a distinction more relevant to seizures than to epilepsies) and idiopathic versus symptomatic (a distinction more relevant to epilepsies than to seizures). The concepts upon which these dichotomies are based are being challenged by the ongoing discussion of the classification (Engel, 2001, 2006). The present paper summarizes the results of the Workshop "Conceptual dichotomies: idiopathic versus symptomatic and partial versus generalized" held in Monreale (Italy) on April 18-20, 2008. Discussion sessions were devoted to partial versus generalized and to idiopathic versus symptomatic dichotomies. In addition, because it was recognized that the term "benign," which is used in the definition and name of some epilepsies, is somewhat ambiguous, a third discussion, session was devoted to this concept.