Table 10.1 Definitions of Post-Traumatic Seizures (p.595; Brain Injury Special Interest Group, 1998)

Term	Definition
Seizure	Discrete clinical event that reflects a temporary physiologic dysfunction of the brain characterized by excessive and hypersynchronous discharge of cortical neurons.
Post-Traumatic Seizure	An initial or recurrent seizure episode not attributable to another obvious cause after penetrating or non-penetrating TBI. The term encompasses both single and recurrent events.
Immediate Post-Traumatic Seizure	A seizure due to TBI occurring within the first 24 hours of injury.
Early Post-Traumatic Seizure	A seizure due to TBI occurring within the first week of injury.
Late Post-Traumatic Seizure	A seizure due to TBI occurring after the first week of injury.
Post-Traumatic Epilepsy	A disorder characterized by recurrent late seizure episodes not attributable to another obvious cause in patients following TBI. The term should be reserved for recurrent, late post-traumatic seizures.
Nonepileptic Seizures	Episodic behavioural events that superficially resemble epileptic attacks but are not associated with paroxysmal activity within the brain.
Antiepileptic Drug Prophylaxis	In the context of post-traumatic seizures, antiepileptic drug treatment administered to prevent seizures in patients who are at risk but have not yet manifested seizures.
Epilepsy	A condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures.
Status Epilepticus	More than 5 minutes of continuous seizure activity or two or more sequential seizures without full recovery of consciousness between seizures.