Presentation and course
| • The main phases of the clinical manifestation of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures are aura, onset of generalization, tonic, clonic, and postictal. |
| • Seizures can start with auras that are focal preserved consciousness seizures characterized by perceived symptoms and absence of observable signs. |
| • Auras can proceed to impaired consciousness, eventually propagating bilaterally and leading to tonic and then clonic phases. |
| • Certain localizing and lateralizing signs can be seen during bilateral propagation (generalization). |
Focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures have been typically divided into specific stages. Marked heterogeneity exists in phase durations and clinical expression, suggesting multiple cortical and subcortical routes of spread. The most commonly described stages are as follows (41).
Aura. About 40% to 70% of patients may experience an antecedent focal preserved consciousness seizure characterized by localized or nonlocalized symptoms in the absence of observable manifestations. When an observable manifestation is present, the convention is to categorize that phenomenon as a focal seizure with an observable manifestation rather than aura. In the 2025 update to the ILAE seizure classification, auras are referred to as non-observable manifestations of seizures and considered as part of the “descriptor” of seizures. Common auras, such as auditory, olfactory, gustatory, and somatosensory auras, are classified under sensory phenomena, and anxiety, anger, and fear are classified under affective (emotional) phenomena. Auras may progress to focal seizures with impaired consciousness or directly to generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Focal seizures with observable manifestations. Focal impaired consciousness seizures with observable manifestations are focal seizures with clinical signs, “alteration of consciousness,” and amnesia. Clinically, these are often associated with automatisms, such as orofacial grimacing, chewing, lip-smacking, fumbling, picking, or repetitive movements of the hands and arms. They may also include unresponsiveness and staring.
Onset of bilateral propagation (generalization). The transition between the aura or antecedent seizure and the remaining phases of generalized tonic-clonic seizures can sometimes be identified by the presence of localizing or lateralizing signs, such as head version. More information is provided in the Localization section. Clonic jerks that are usually irregular and asymmetric may precede the tonic phase.
Tonic phase. The tonic phase begins with a rigid muscular contraction that usually consists of a brief phase of flexion followed by a longer phase of extension. The flexion phase usually begins in the head and trunk and then extends to the extremities and is usually symmetric. The extension phase usually begins with axial muscle contractions, along with laryngeal spasm that may produce an ictal cry and apnea. Autonomic signs such as tachycardia, hypertension, and diaphoresis may begin during this phase. The tonic phase usually lasts for 10 to 30 seconds.
Clonic phase. The tonic phase gives way to clonic convulsive movements, in which rhythmic jerking lasts for a variable period. During the clonic phase, muscle relaxation interrupts tonic contraction and produces generalized rhythmic jerks, which slow down until the seizure ends. Deep, often stertorous respiration occurs at the end of the clonic phase, as other muscles relax. Urinary incontinence and tongue biting may occur in this phase. The clonic phase usually lasts for 30 to 50 seconds.
Postictal state. The postictal state includes a period during which the patient becomes quiet in deep sleep, begins breathing deeply, and then gradually wakes up, often confused, with some automatic behaviors; the patient may later complain of feeling stiffness, generalized soreness, and headache.
Localization. Generalized seizures have long been thought to involve the entire brain. Research has indicated that focal to bilateral generalized or even idiopathic seizures may not result in diffuse cortical activation and may activate only specific circuits. A complex model of epileptogenic circuitry involving cortical and subcortical “nodes” may be instrumental in propagating seizure activity (29).
Several clinical manifestations have been found to have localizing or lateralizing value for focal onset seizures, including forced versive head-turning, ictal aphasia, dystonic limb posturing, asymmetric tonic limb posturing, unilateral automatisms, ictal spitting, ictal vomiting, unilateral eyelid blinking, peri-ictal water drinking, and postictal nose wiping (30; 16; 11). In some cases, particularly in the frontal and parietal lobes, the spread of the ictal discharge is rapid, and localizing features may not be apparent.
In focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, head (and eye) version has a reliable lateralizing value in frontal and temporal lobe epilepsies, with the seizure onset zone being contralateral to the direction of head turning when it is forced and immediately precedes bilateral generalization. This is most likely the result of activation of frontal eye and motor areas anterior to the precentral gyrus.
Ictal aphasia. Ictal aphasia is related to the ictal activity in the language-dominant hemisphere.
Dystonic posturing. Dystonic posturing of the contralateral extremities is a reliable lateralizing sign to the contralateral hemisphere in temporal lobe seizures. The proposed mechanism includes propagation of ictal discharges to involve the sensory motor area, anterior cingulate gyrus, ventral striatum, and pallidum.
Asymmetric tonic limb posturing. Asymmetric tonic limb posturing, where one elbow is extended while the other is flexed (figure-of-4 sign), has been described as a lateralizing sign with a positive predictive value of about 90%. The extended elbow is contralateral to the side of ictal onset. Activation of the supplemental motor area (SMA) is believed to be the underlying mechanism.
Unilateral automatism. Unilateral automatism (usually in association with dystonic limb) posturing in the opposite limb is predominantly ipsilateral to the seizure onset zone in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, and contralateral in neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy.
Ictal spitting. Ictal spitting is a rare semiological event in right temporal lobe epilepsy that probably involves the autonomic networks.
Ictal vomiting. Ictal vomiting initially was reported to be associated with a very small percentage of seizures from the right temporal lobe; however, studies have cast doubt on the reliability of lateralization of ictal nausea and vomiting.
Unilateral eye blinking. Unilateral eye blinking has been reported to be associated with ipsilateral ictal discharges and is thought to result from the involvement of the inferior postcentral cortex.
Peri-ictal water drinking. Peri-ictal water drinking might be considered a rare automatism during or within 2 minutes of an electrographical seizure that can be seen in temporal lobe epilepsy in the nondominant right hemisphere in the majority.
Postictal nose wiping. Postictal nose wiping can be associated with temporal lobe seizures more than frontal lobe seizures on the ipsilateral side of the hand that is used to wipe the nose.
Postictal paresis (Todd paralysis) is another lateralizing feature that is reported in around 3% to 16% of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, indicating onset in the contralateral hemisphere. Postictal features can be transient and must be assessed shortly after the seizure.
Table 1. Summarizing Clinical Features Suggesting Lateralization in Focal to Bilateral Tonic-Clonic Seizures
Clinical Feature | Localization or Lateralization |
Forced head version | Contralateral hemisphere |
Ictal aphasia | Language-dominant hemisphere |
Dystonic limb posturing | Contralateral hemisphere |
Figure-of-4 sign | Contralateral hemisphere to extended elbow |
Unilateral motor automatism | Ipsilateral hemisphere |
Ictal spitting | Right hemisphere |
Ictal vomiting | Possibly right hemisphere |
Unilateral eye blinking | Ipsilateral hemisphere |
Peri-ictal water drinking | Possibly nondominant right hemisphere |
Postictal nose wiping | Ipsilateral temporal lobe (less frequent extratemporal) |
Postictal paresis | Contralateral hemisphere |
Prognosis and complications
The available prognostic data are conflicting because of differing design, classification, duration of follow-up in different studies, and etiology of the seizures. The prognosis for individuals with focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures is less favorable than that of patients with most types of idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Many studies have found that two of the strongest predictors of seizure recurrence in focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures are focal changes in brain imaging and abnormal interictal discharges in EEG (08; 26). In its evidence-based guideline of management of an unprovoked first seizure in adults, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) lists the following four factors as having the strongest evidence for increased risk of recurrence of seizures: a prior brain insult, epileptiform abnormalities in EEG, abnormal brain imaging, and a nocturnal seizure (27).
In a large cohort for prognostic patterns and predictors in epilepsy, 1006 children and adults were followed for a median of 16 years (09). During follow-up, the 1-year remission was 91.7%, and the 5-year remission was 77.1%. Factors confirmed to be associated with 5-year remission were fewer seizures (one or two seizures) before diagnosis, generalized epilepsy, absence of psychiatric comorbidity, and treatment with one to two antiseizure medications.
Complications that may occur in the ictal or immediate postictal period following a tonic-clonic seizure include:
| • Oral trauma • Head trauma • Stress fractures and joint dislocation • Aspiration pneumonia • Pulmonary edema • Abrasions, lacerations, and ecchymoses due to external trauma) • Scleral and petechial hemorrhages occurring from capillary bleeding with internal pressure changes. • Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) |
The most important risk factors for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy include a high frequency of generalized tonic-clonic seizures and living alone, especially not sharing a bedroom with anyone (23). It seems the SUDEP risk is highest in the first 5 years after diagnosis and decreases thereafter (40).
As the relationship between SUDEP, cardiac arrhythmias, and ictal asystole is further clarified, close attention to cardiac arrhythmias on video-EEG monitoring becomes of prime importance (39). A pacemaker may be indicated in some patients with ictal asystole or bradycardia.
There is growing information about the complex genetic interactions predisposing individuals to SUDEP, both in genetic and acquired epilepsies (33). In addition, the role of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction and its role in SUDEP have been receiving increasing attention (44).