[Possible late-onset secondary generalized epilepsy. contribution of computed tomography (author's transl)]

Generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizures appearing in elderly subjects have been recognized for a long time. The E.E.G. was able to distinguish two types: primary generalized epilepsy, and a secondary type of late onset which can be definitely separated from the group of partial epilepsies with generalized secondary fits by means of scanography. In fact, 60% of generalized attacks in the elderly are due to cerebral involution only. The authors suggest, therefore, that the group of secondary generalized epilepsies be enlarged to include this variety of late-onset generalized epilepsy, which appears to be related to the existence of diffuse cerebral lesions as shown by the cerebral atrophy demonstrated by the use of C.T. scan.