While the background EEG is usually normal in patients with epilepsy (5), abnormal interictal EEG manifestations may include nonepileptiform abnormalities and interictal epileptiform discharges. The main purpose in obtaining EEG (other than evaluation of focal or generalized cerebral function) is to evaluate patients with known seizures to permit an accurate diagnosis of the seizure type and epilepsy syndrome so that therapy may be appropriately directed or to diagnose unknown paroxysmal spells that may represent seizures. Routine Interictal EEG in Epilepsy and Spells
