[Management of patients after a first seizure]. / Conduite á tenir devant une première crise convulsive.

ABSTRACT

Neuroimaging evaluation in patients after a first seizure could be easily determined on the basis of seizure history, neurological examination, blood sample analysis and electroencephalography. The main objectives of the initial work-up are to differentiate a true seizure event from seizure-like symptoms, to exclude a single seizure as a manifestation of non organic cause and finally to consider the seizure as a result of cerebral lesion or inaugurate epilepsy. When a new onset seizure is diagnosed, urgent neuroimaging is recommended only in patients with focal neurological deficit, persistent or worsening alteration in the level of consciousness and when clinical and biological data lead to a suspected vascular or infectious etiology. Brain CT scan is usually more available in emergency to identify the cause of seizure. It may have an important role for the therapeutic strategy and may defer MRI investigation. Nevertheless, brain MRI must be performed in emergency when CT scan is not conclusive despite a severe clinical condition or in case of cerebral venous thrombosis. Imaging modalities depend on clinical data, patient age and suspected epilepsy type.