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What tests are needed?

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The doctor usually orders a variety of tests to help make the diagnosis. These include:

  • A brain wave test, also called an EEG (electroencephalogram), to look for changes in the brain's electrical patterns that are related to seizures
  • Blood tests, to look for certain medical disorders
  • Either a special x-ray of the brain, a CT scan (sometimes called a CAT scan), or an MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging), to look for abnormal areas such as a tumor or infection.

Depending on the urgency of the situation, other tests also might be recommended, such as a lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap), EKG (electrocardiogram, to check the heart), or a sleep test.

The results of these tests often appear completely normal in people with epilepsy. Normal test results do not mean that the seizures are not real or that epilepsy is not present.

Topic Editor: Carl W. Bazil, M.D., Ph.D.
Last Reviewed: 3/8/04

Continue to: What if it's not epilepsy?


This content is user-generated. Content is not monitored nor consistently reviewed by the epilepsy.com Editorial Board. Epilepsy.com therefore cannot guarantee the accuracy of any content edited with the Wiki sections. While epilepsy.com, the Epilepsy Therapy Project, and its partners encourage visitor interaction and publishing within these sections, users should use caution when exploring content, especially as it pertains to health concerns. No content on epilepsy.com is intended to replace the care of a doctor. We encourage you to contact your own health care provider for individual medical advice. We cannot provide second opinions or make specific recommendations regarding therapy, nor does this Wiki content constitute a recommendation for any diagnosis or treatment options.

The doctor usually orders a variety of tests to help make the diagnosis. These include:

  • A brain wave test, also called an EEG (electroencephalogram), to look for changes in the brain's electrical patterns that are related to seizures
  • Blood tests, to look for certain medical disorders
  • Either a special x-ray of the brain, a CT scan (sometimes called a CAT scan), or an MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging), to look for abnormal areas such as a tumor or infection.

Depending on the urgency of the situation, other tests also might be recommended, such as a lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap), EKG (electrocardiogram, to check the heart), or a sleep test.

The results of these tests often appear completely normal in people with epilepsy. Normal test results do not mean that the seizures are not real or that epilepsy is not present.

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tests, imaging, diagnosis, testing

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