An unrecognized syndrome of benign focal epileptic seizures in teenagers?

145 out of 1570 patients whose first fit occurred between the ages of 10 and 20 years and began as a focal seizure had no further fits for at least 5 years. This benign (non-recurring) form of focal seizures appears to be a distinct clinical entity. Its features, based on an analysis of the case-notes of 83 of the 145 cases, include: appearance of fit between the ages of 12--18 years in 84% cases; a higher incidence among males; an absence of family history of fits and of other factors predisposing to fits; normal electroencephalogram (E.E.G.) or non-specific, non-focal E.E.G. changes; and progression to generalised fits in 80.3%. The diagnosis can be suspected at presentation but confirmed only after a recurrence-free period without treatment.