Epileptic seizures in the elderly: I. Aetiology and type of seizure

Eighty-one elderly patients with epileptic seizures are described, of whom 60 were investigated by computed tomography. The cause was cerebrovascular disease in 44%, tumour in 12%, extracerebral in 11%, and unknown in 16%. Partial seizures were commoner in patients with tumour than with other causes. The findings are discussed in relation to other studies and to the investigation of elderly patients presenting with seizures.