A Clinical Guide to Epileptic Syndromes and their Treatment

A disorder which affects 4 percent of children and 1-2 percent of the general population, epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. The original edition of C.P. Panayiotopoulos’ guide proved to be the only one of its kind, covering many important aspects of diagnosis and treatment. Due to the continued advances being made in the subject, a second edition is now due. The text includes detailed diagnostics, concise descriptions of syndromes, a wealth of practical tips, and is supported by useful tables to enable clear diagnoses.

Building on the sell-out success of the first edition this thorough revision reflects the latest report of the ILAE classification core group and the significant progress made in the diagnosis, classification and treatment of the epilepsies.

This new edition is indispensable reading for all those who care for patients with epileptic seizures.

From the reviews of the second edition:

"A Clinical Guide to Epileptic Syndromes and Their Treatment is well worth having in your library for its compendious information and significant update since its first edition (2002)... The text has truly become a pragmatic and helpful guide in the treatment of epilepsy." (George L. Morris III; JAMA)

"The second edition seeks to build on the success of the first. … The format is … evidence-based and is replete with references that are refreshingly up-to-date and extracted from leading journals. This is a good thing because the reader can effectively use the text for rapid access to original studies. … There are copious illustrations throughout the book, which are very clear and helpful. … this volume is a stand-out. It is remarkably user-friendly yet provides near-perfect coverage of a difficult subject." (American Journal of Neuroradiology, Vol. 29, 2008)

“This is a comprehensive review of the epilepsy syndromes based on the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification scheme. … The book is written for practicing clinicians who treat patients with epilepsy. … This book fits into a well intended niche, providing … a translation of the ILAE classification for clinicians. This allows practitioners to take the classification scheme and put it into clinical use.” (Matthew Hoerth, Doody’s Review Service, May, 2010)

From reviews of 1st edition:

"This book is of great importance as the first one to cover epilepsy according to the new ILAE classification. It provides the necessary precondition for successful treatment management as well as for meaningful communication in the clinical and scientific community. " (Roger Weis; EJPN 2004:227)

"There are few books that a busy clinician will want to read from cover to cover whilst preparing a review —this is one of them." (Roger Cull; Brain 2003;126:2567-8)

"Extremely well referenced… a useful source to the literature… attractively presented, with colours used to highlight aspects such as definitions and some controversial issues… well illustrated." (Sam Berkovic; Brain 2003; 126(9):2109-2110)

"This book is a delightful rarity." (John Duncan; J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2003;74:1355)

"I’ve read this book with interest, from end to end. It is fascinating, well- written and lively and makes the reader question his assumptions and procedures. Every person with an interest in epilepsy should read it." (Tim Betts; Seizure)

"I recommend this book, the only one of its kind, to epileptologists, electrophysiologists, EEG technicians, neurologists, paediatricians, and even general physicians." (Nadir Bharucha; Lancet Neurology)

Chrysostomos Panayiotopoulos is an internationally renowned leader and expert in the field of neurology. He has worked for over 15 years as a Consultant in Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsies at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, UK. In addition to this, he holds several honorary titles including Honorary Senior Lecturer at Guys, Kings and St. Thomas’ Medical school, Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Epileptology at Guy’s Department of Paediatric Neurology, London. He has also been an invited professor to Harvard University and the University of Western Australia, where he was appointed Honorary Director of the Department of Neuropathology.

Dr. Panayiotopoulos has researched prolifically, investigating the clinical and neurophysiological investigations of the muscles, peripheral and central nervous system, with a particular focus on epilepsy. Moreover he has successfully secured more than a quarter of a million pounds of research funding.

Dr Panayiotopoulos has been an active contributor to a number of highly established peer-reviewed journals. He has written over 136 articles in English, in journals such as the Lancet, Brain, Neurology, Annals of Neurology and Archives of Neurology to name but a few. These papers have been cited more than 1000 times in leading journals such as the Lancet, Nature, Neurology and Muscle and Nerve. He has also published over 50 articles in Greek. He has been the invited author of over 44 chapters in neurology books. He has also sat on the editorial board of "Annals of Saudi Medicine" and acted as a reviewer for: "Brain", "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry", "Muscle and Nerve", "Epilepsia", "Lupus", "Journal of Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology", "Epilepsy Research", and "Seizure".

Moreover his work on establishing the syndromic diagnosis of epilepsies and the appropriate video-EEG methodology for their diagnosis, has been regarded by some as ground breaking and he is recognised as one the leading authorities on epilepsy. He was appointed as one of the 12 members of the Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and subsequently as a key advisory member.

Dr. Panayiotopoulos is now Consultant emeritus in the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsies at St. Thomas’ hospital, London and also has a consultancy with USB pharma, Brussels, Belgium. He is married with two children.

Author of:

Benign childhood partial seizures and related epileptic syndromes London: John Libbey and Co. (1999))

Early-onset benign childhood occipital seizure susceptibility syndrome: a syndrome to recognise. Epilepsia 1999: 40:621-630