Seizures in Multisystem Disease Affecting the Nervous System

This chapter discusses a heterogeneous group of disorders that involve the central nervous system (CNS) and cause seizures (Table 1). Nervous system involvement is part of the disease definition or is a complication of the systemic disease process. Neurologic manifestations, including seizures, can present before the systemic illness becomes manifest but more commonly occur in the setting of established disease. Seizures can also be a complication of end-organ damage caused by the underlying illness, or of medications used to treat the illness. The incidence of neurologic complications and seizures varies widely. The etiopathogenesis of seizures is mostly unknown in this diverse group of diseases.