Epilepsy by Any Other Name Would (Not!) Smell as Sweet

Shakespeare, in Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II), implies that what something is called does not detract from its fundamental meaning or worth: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Juliet was expressing her love for Romeo, irrespective of his name (alas, he was a Montague!). But in medicine, the importance of linguistic precision cannot be underestimated.1 Although names (for diseases, conditions, symptoms, signs, etc) differ in various contexts, optimal medical care requires accurate communication between health care providers, patients, and families, and this accuracy begins with consistency in the use of words to communicate medical information.

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