A Perspective of Epilepsy

Epilepsy without demonstrable cause may begin at any age. Hereditary predisposition; prenatal infections; possibly' radiography of the pelvis during pregnancy; congenital defects; and cerebral lesions acquired during or after birth are some of the causal factors. Investigative procedures include electroencephalography, radiography? pneumoencephalography, angiography and lumbar puncture. Operation should be considered only in severe cases after medical treatment has failed. Patients should be encouraged to live as normally as possible.