title: Seizures: assessment and management in the emergency unit.
abstract: A first seizure must be investigated and explained. An accurate and detailed history with witness account and previous documentation may not be readily available in the emergency unit. Minor convulsions are a common manifestation of syncope. The best pointers to a seizure are lateral tongue biting and post-event confusion. Emergency units require fast-track links to local epilepsy specialist services, often avoiding the need for hospital admission following a first seizure. Long-term antiepileptic medication should usually be prescribed only by a specialist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. SmithPE@cardiff.ac.uk
authors.forename: Philip E M
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cossburn
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*