ABSTRACT.Epileptic syndromes represent a new way of looking at epileptological diagnostic entities. These syndromes transcend the realm of seizure types and constitute special clinical conditions which depend largely on age and genetic predisposition (notwithstanding the frequent occurrence of associated structural lesions). Epileptic syndromes without structural pathology tend to be benign: primary generalized epilepsy, benign rolandic epilepsy, benign occipital lobe epilepsy, and others. West syndrome and especially the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome exemplify severe forms of epileptic seizure disorder.Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of epileptic syndromes depend heavily on the correct interpretation of the EEG findings. Thus, this modern segment of epileptology is not thinkable without solid EEG diagnosis. The differentiation of these syndromes is highly pragmatic (and by no means merely academic): these differentiations result in much better understanding of benign and severe seizure disorders and permit a more precise prognostication.It is important to understand the limits of epileptic syndromes (and the domain of nonsyndromic epilepsies).