ABSTRACT
Acute seizures are a common medical emergency which can result in serious physical trauma or death. Even one seizure can have major social and emotional consequences such as the loss of driving privileges, limitations for employment, loss of independence, and damage to self-esteem . Approximately 10% of the population of the United States will suffer a seizure at some point in their lifetime and approximately 2% will develop epilepsy. The annual incidence of seizures ranges from 70 to 100 per 100,000 population. Acute seizures result in 1,000,000 emergency room visits accounting for 1% of emergency room visits overall. The diagnostic evaluation focuses on identifying dangerous and reversible causes. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain imaging (to rule out structural lesions) should be considered a routine part of the evaluation of an adult presenting with an apparent unprovoked first seizure.
