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Do I
Understand my Diagnosis?
 seizure is an outward sign of a temporary electrical dysfunction of the controls of the brain. The seizure may be a convulsion, a brief stare, muscle spasms, odd sensations, automatic behaviour, or altered consciousness.
If you or an observer believe that you have experienced a seizure then you should consult your physician as soon as possible. Your doctor will perform some diagnostic tests and be able to tell you exactly what kind of seizure you have.
When someone who has had a seizure seeks medical help, the doctor will want to resolve the following issues:
- was the seizure caused by a short term problem (like fever or infection) that can be corrected?
- was it caused by a continuing problem in the brain?
- is there anything about the structure of the brain that could cause seizures?
- was the seizure an isolated event, or does it mean that the person has epilepsy?
Your doctor will try to find the answers to these questions through:
- a detailed medical history.
- a thorough physical examination, especially of the nervous system.
- analysis of blood and other body fluids.
- electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings.
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computerized tomography (CT) scans.
Feel free to ask your physician any questions you may have about your diagnosis. It is important to have a good line of communication with your doctor. This is extremely important. It will help avoid miscommunication and misunderstandings with respect to your understanding of epilepsy as well as the treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Some questions you may have are:
- Is it really necessary to take antiepileptic (AED) medication?
- What might have caused these seizures?
- How will this affect my life?
Diagnostic Tests
The number of tests ordered will vary, depending on the needs of each individual case.
Following is a list and explanation of the kinds of tests you may be asked to take:
Blood Test & Lumbar Puncture
 everal tests are run on blood samples. These tests look for signs of infection, anemia, or other conditions. They check the levels of vital minerals or poisons, such as lead, which may cause seizures. Blood and urine tests may also be ordered to check on liver and kidney function.
If the doctor thinks the seizure might have been caused by infection or bleeding in the brain he may order a spinal tap. This procedure removes a small amount of fluid from the spinal canal so it can be analyzed.
All these tests are designed to find out whether the seizure had an underlying cause that may be treated directly.
Brain Specific Scans
Observing a seizure-event is a good way for doctors to diagnosis, identify, and determine proper treatment for a epilepsy. They may use the following tests to observe the electrical activity of the brain to help with their diagnosis:
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
 he electroencephalograph (EEG) is a machine that translates the electrical activity of the brain into series of wavy lines. Normal electrical activity makes a recognizable pattern. Seizure-causing changes or irregularities produce different patterns. It's like a polygraph test, except thin wires, called electrodes are pasted on the scalp of the person being tested. Doctors can often identify the patterns likely to be present when someone has epilepsy. The recording may also show which part of the brain is affected. Having an EEG is a painless, safe procedure. The machine cannot read your mind or give you an electric shock. It doesn't measure intelligence or reveal mental or emotional illness. It is not used to treat or to cure - just to find out.
They may also decide to observe your seizures through a sleep-deprived EEG. Many seizures often occure when the individual is under stress. Sleep-deprivation is one of the easiest ways for doctors to observe the person under stressful conditions.
CAT Scanning
 omputerized Tomography (CAT or CT) scanning, a procedure introduced in the early 1970s, has revolutionized the ability to 'see' the brain. Low-dose X-rays are detected and interpreted by a computer, which then generates a picture "just as if we had cut a slice of the brain."
The principal reason for a CT scan is to see whether the seizure had a cause that can be treated surgically. The CT can also reveal other causes for which there may be specific treatments.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
 hile CT scanning has revolutionized our ability to 'see' the brain by taking pictures of the inside of the brain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is even newer, has increased our ability to look inside the brain, as it were, even more clearly. Unlike CT scanning, MRI does not employ X-rays but rather uses a huge magnet to create an image, which is then analyzed by computer in a fashion similar to the CT. It produces pictures of even greater detail.
It is ideal for observing the structures of the brain. MRI scans may show tumours, abnormal blood vessels, cysts, and areas of brain cell loss or other brain damage. These tests apply to both adults and children.
The only disadvantages of the MRI are that, with current equipment, a scan takes about 15-30 minutes, during which the person must lie perfectly still in the tunnel-like machine and thus may require sedation; also, the test is more expensive than a CT. When, however, detail of the brain is important, or when subtle changes must be seen, the MRI is a very important diagnostic tool
An abnormal structure observed on a scan is not necessarily the cause of the seizures. Based on the evidence from observation of the seizure as well as the information gathered from EEG and CT data, if the MRI data indicates a brain abnormality in the area believed to be the origin of the seizures then we can presume cause and effect.
PET Scan
 ositron emission tomography (PET) is different from the MRI and CT scans because it demonstrates brain metabolism while the others show structure. The doctors will look for the metabolism in the brain region of the suspected origin of the seizure.
This procedure not used as often as the CT or MRI scans because they are often more accurate.
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