What is another term for an absence seizure?

From the Guidelines

An absence seizure is also known as a petit mal seizure. This term is widely recognized in the medical community, particularly among neurologists and epileptologists, as noted in the classification of seizures by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 1. The ILAE classifies seizures as focal onset, generalized onset, or unknown onset, with generalized seizures further subdivided into tonic-clonic, other motor, or nonmotor (absence) 1. Key characteristics of absence seizures include:

• Brief duration, typically a few seconds
• Minimal or no noticeable physical symptoms
• Appearance of staring into space or daydreaming
• Classification as a type of generalized nonmotor seizure 1 Understanding both "absence seizure" and "petit mal" is crucial for effective communication about this specific type of epileptic event, especially in clinical settings and patient discussions.

From the FDA Drug Label

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Ethosuximide suppresses the paroxysmal three cycle per second spike and wave activity associated with lapses of consciousness which is common in absence (petit mal) seizures. Another term for an absence seizure is petit mal seizure 2.

• Absence seizure is also known as petit mal seizure. Key term: petit mal is another term for absence seizure.

From the Research

Definition of Absence Seizure

• Another term for an absence seizure is petit mal 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Characteristics of Petit Mal

• Petit mal is characterized by absences accompanied by discharges of 3/sec spike and waves lasting more than 3-4 seconds on EEG 5
• It is a type of generalized nonmotor seizure 7

Historical Context

• The term "petit mal" was first used by Esquirol in 1838 7
• The term "absences" was introduced by Calmeil in 1824 7

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Proper diagnosis of absence seizures requires careful historical elucidation of the actual seizure events, family history of seizures, and other neurologic abnormalities, as well as electroencephalographic studies 4
• Treatment is initiated with antiepileptic drugs likely to be effective against generalized discharges, such as ethosuximide and valproate 4