Complex partial seizures: Clinical features and differential diagnosis

Complex partial seizures are the most common seizure type encountered in patients with partial epilepsy. Complex partial seizures may be of temporal lobe or extratemporal origin. Physiologic and psychological nonepileptic behavioral disorders may have similar clinical features that need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of partial epilepsy. Appropriate evaluation includes confirmation of seizure type and identification of the etiology of the seizure disorder. Treatment includes avoidance of seizure precipitants and antiepileptic drug therapy. Ablative surgery is an important alternative treatment for patients with intractable partial epilepsy.