Dizziness, epilepsy and the EEG.

EEGs were done on 97 patients with the complaint of dizziness and were compared to a normal control group. In patients with dizziness of a syncopal-like type there was a small but significant increase in the incidence of bitemporal sharp wave discharges. Another group, consisting of 48 patients with seizures was evaluated; 71% had noted dizziness, significantly more than a control group. Most seizure patients experienced dizziness as a syncopal-like sensation with an abrupt onset just before their clinical seizures. The majority also experienced identical episodes of dizziness unassociated with their seizures, possibly as an abortive epileptic phenomenon. Dizziness described as rotational (vertigo) was uncommon in these epileptics.