Epilepsy in patients with cerebral infarcts

Out of series of 240 patients, with proved cerebral infarcts at necropsy, 14 with a clinical history of epilepsy were selected. The possible etiology of seizures was analyzed by comparing the clinical and pathological data. It appeared from this series that epileptic spells, preceding for years the occurrence of a stroke, were due to other causes than to cerebrovascular insufficiency. It was also difficult to separate apoplectic seizures from those occurring due to scar formation after a cerebral infarct, as postapoplectic epilepsy was induced either by the occurrence of a new stroke or by hemodynamic disturbances. Severe generalized or local hemodynamic and metabolic disturbances were also noted in cases of convulsions resulting from a cerebral infarct.