Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure: Diagnosis & Tests (Grand Mal Seizure)

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You are here : 3-RX.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure: Diagnosis & Tests
Category : Health Centers > Brain and Nervous System

Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure

Alternate Names : Grand Mal Seizure

Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

How is the condition diagnosed?

Diagnosis of seizures begins with a medical history and physical exam. The healthcare provider will ask about contributing illnesses or injuries. An electroencephalogram, or EEG, will be ordered. An EEG measures electrical activity within the brain. If a seizure occurs during the EEG, the abnormal activity can be detected. A normal EEG does not rule out seizures. Other tests that may be ordered include:

blood tests to look for underlying diseases or conditions

cranial CT scan to look for abnormalities in the brain

cranial MRI to provide a closer look at brain structures

positron emission tomography, or PET scans, to identify the abnormal brain area

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Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure: Symptoms & Signs		Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure: Prevention & Expectations

Author: Gerald C. McIntosh, MD
Reviewer: Karen Preston, PHN, MS, CRRN
Date Reviewed: 05/31/01

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