Handbook of Epilepsy Treatment

Simon Shorvon, MD, Professor of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK.

"Handbook of Epilepsy Treatment is truly what the title promises: a very practice-oriented and useful handbook about the treatment of epilepsy. The updated edition is helpful for residents, fellows, general practitioners, and epileptologists alike." (Epilepsy & Behavior, 2 March 2011) "However, because antiepileptic drugs are frequently used off-label owing to difficulty in designing drug trials that meet Food and Drug Administration criteria for new indications, clinicians with familiarity in epilepsy treatment are likely to find the text and the insight of a seasoned practitioner a worthwhile addition to their libraries." (The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 1 April 2011)"Shorvon (neurology, U. College London, UK) presents a comprehensive yet concise text for neurologists on the various treatments of epilepsy, both medical and surgical and in adults and children." (Booknews, 1 February 2011)"Handbook of Epilepsy Treatment is truly what the title promises: a very practice-oriented and useful handbook about the treatment of epilepsy. The updated edition is helpful for residents, fellows, general practitioners, and epileptologists alike." (Elsevier, 2 March 2011)"This is a very clearly written and nicely produced book, which is one of the best medium sized books on epilepsy currently available. I've no doubt that there will be demand for a 4th edition in a few years time." (Encephalitis Society, 1 April 2011)"The Handbook of Epilepsy Treatment provides a practical pathfinder for treating epilepsy based on published evidence and the authors 30 years of specialist clinical experience". (HPC Market Watch, 19 January 2011)Reviews of previous editions"This delightful new handbook...is excellent, well written, and practical...by one of the leading figures in clinical epilepsy today...This stylishly written book serves its purpose admirably. It is a superb handbook that will be of immediate value as a reference or review on the treatment of epilepsy for the general neurologist as well as for the experienced epileptologist" (Annals of Neurology)"...an excellent didactic tool and a very important hands-on text for all people involved in the care of epileptic patient. The factual information is easy to access, given the numerous tables that summarize the various sections, the comprehensive tabulation of data available, and the pharmacopeia appendix" (Child’s Nervous System)

• Preface to the Third Edition. Acknowledgements.1 Definitions and Epidemiology.Definitions.Frequency and population features of epilepsy.2 Seizure Type and Anatomical Location of Seizures.Seizure type.Classifi cation of partial seizures by anatomical site of seizure onset.3 Epilepsy Syndromes.ILAE Classifi cation of the Epilepsies and Epilepsy Syndromes.The epilepsy syndromes.4 The Causes of Epilepsy.Idiopathic epilepsy.Symptomatic epilepsy of genetic or congenital origin.Symptomatic epilepsy due to acquired causes.Provoked seizures.5 Principles of Treatment.Why treat epilepsy? The aims of treatment.The risks of epilepsy and its treatment.Choice of antiepileptic drug therapy based on seizure type.Treatment of specifi c epilepsy syndromes.Principles of treatment of newly diagnosed patients.Principles of treatment of patients with established active epilepsy.Treatment of patients with epilepsy in remission.Psychiatric disorders in epilepsy.Life-threatening idiosyncratic reactions.Complementary and alternative therapy in epilepsy.Genetic counselling in epilepsy.6 Treatment of Epilepsy in Specifi c Groups.Treatment of epilepsy in children.Treatment of epilepsy in patients with additional handicaps.Epilepsy in elderly people.Treatment of epilepsy in women.7 Pharmacokinetic Principles of Antiepileptic Drug Treatment.Drug absorption.Drug distribution.Drug elimination (metabolism and excretion).Blood level measurements.8 The Antiepileptic Drugs.Carbamazepine.Clobazam.Clonazepam.Eslicarbazepine acetate.Ethosuximide.Gabapentin.Lacosamide.Lamotrigine.Levetiracetam.Oxcarbazepine.Phenobarbital.Phenytoin.Pregabalin.Primidone.Rufi namide.Tiagabine.Topiramate.Valproate.Vigabatrin.Zonisamide.Other drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy.Acetazolamide.Benzodiazepines.Corticosteroids and ACTH.Felbamate.Piracetam.Stiripentol.9 The Emergency Treatment of Epilepsy.How to deal with a seizure.Status epilepticus.Antiepileptic drugs used in status epilepticus.10 The Surgical Therapy of Epilepsy.Presurgical assessment – general points.Surgery in epilepsy arising in the mesial temporal lobe.Surgery in epilepsy arising in extratemporal regions and the temporal neocortex.Cortical dysplasia (malformations of cortical development).Surgery where no lesion is apparent on neuroimaging ('MRI-negative cases')Hemispherectomy, hemispherotomy and other large resections.Corpus callosectomy (corpus callosum section, corpus callosotomy).Multiple subpial transection.Vagal nerve stimulation.Other functional surgical procedures.The organization of epilepsy surgery care: the epilepsy surgery centre.Pharmacopoeia.Antiepileptic drugs – indications in epilepsy.Antiepileptic drugs – dose, average adult values.Antiepileptic drugs – dose, interactions.Antiepileptic drugs – dose, in children.Antiepileptic drugs – summary of side effects.Antiepileptic drugs – summary of metabolism.Antiepileptic drugs – summary of pharmacokinetic values (typical adult values).Antiepileptic drugs – modes of action.Further Reading.Index.