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Evaluation
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Anatomy
Tonic Clonic Seizure Evaluation
The evaluation of a tonic clonic seizure begins with a history and physical examination. ![]()
Between seizures, the physical exam in someone with tonic clonic seizures is usually normal.
Physical findings in someone with a tonic clonic seizure may include:
- Arm numbness (unilateral)
- Leg numbness (unilateral)
- Hand numbness (unilateral)
- Arm weakness (unilateral)
- Leg weakness (unilateral)
- Facial weakness (unilateral):
- Fever

- Stiff neck

- Difficulty with balance
- Loss of coordination
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Coma
Tests may be necessary to make the diagnosis of a tonic clonic seizure.
Tests that may be used to evaluate a tonic clonic seizure include:
- Blood glucose

- Coagulation profile

- Complete blood count

- Serum drug levels

- Kidney profile

- Liver profile

- CT scan of the brain

- MRI scan of the brain


- PET scan

- Lumbar puncture with spinal fluid analysis

- Electroencephalogram

For more information:
Continue to Tonic Clonic Seizure Treatment
Last Updated: Jan 6, 2011 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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PubMed Tonic Clonic Seizure References
- Camfield P, Camfield C. Epileptic syndromes in childhood: clinical features, outcomes, and treatment. Epilepsia. 2002;43 Suppl 3:27-32. [12060004]
- Gilad R, Lampl Y, Gabbay U, Eshel Y, Sarova-Pinhas I. Early treatment of a single generalized tonic-clonic seizure to prevent recurrence. Arch Neurol. 1996 Nov;53(11):1149-52. [8912488]
- Kinsman SL, Vining EP, Quaskey SA, Mellits D, Freeman JM. Efficacy of the ketogenic diet for intractable seizure disorders: review of 58 cases. Epilepsia. 1992 Nov-Dec;33(6):1132-6. [1464275]
- Pearl PL, Bennett HD, Khademian Z. Seizures and metabolic disease. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2005 Mar;5(2):127-33. [15743550]