EEG stands for electroencephalogram.

It records brainwave patterns from the continuous electrical discharges coming from the brain.

EEG is one of the diagnostic tests to aid in the diagnosis of the epilepsies.  It is not always a conclusive test and needs to be taken to aid diagnosis in conjunction with a good history and observations of the events/seizures.

EEG can aid in diagnosing the type of epilepsy.

Whether an individual has

• Primary Generalised Epilepsy
• Partial/Focal Epilepsy
• Epilepsy Syndrome

This data aids clinicians to work with and discuss the right choices for treating the individual's epilepsy.  Not all epilepsy is the same and one drug does not work for all.

Treatment options, dependant on the type of epilepsy, could be pharmaceutical therapy or surgical intervention.  Determining the right treatment has a major impact on individuals' life choices; if surgery is indicated individuals can become seizure free.  Choosing the right drug may enable someone to become seizure free or dramatically reduce the amount of seizures.

There are many types of EEG recording starting with a 1 hour baseline EEG, overnight sleep EEG’s, sleep deprived EEG’s, video telemetry, invasive monitoring, ambulatory EEG’s and various provoked recordings.

What is an Ambulatory EEG?

This is a device providing an EEG recording which is portable.

The device is set up and tested to be correctly placed.  The individual then wears a small bag containing the device and carries on their usual daily activities without having to stay in a hospital environment.

This is useful as longer periods of recording can be ascertained with minimal disruption to normal life.  Longer monitoring periods are beneficial to ensure seizures are captured during the recording.

Benefits of Ambulatory and Telemetry  EEG at St Elizabeth’s

• Allows recordings to be captured when they are beneficial without the constraints of set appointments. i.e. prolonged seizure clusters and breakdown, non-convulsive status, non-epilepsy related events, disturbed sleep patterns.
• Aid in new diagnosis, increased risk of ASD diagnosis developing seizure disorders.
• Monitoring links with behaviour and epilepsy related activity.  Aid in deciding course of action, management and strategies.
• Reduces the stress of our students/pupils with complex needs accessing hospital environments.
• Good use of resources linking specialist professional clinical services in a community based setting.
• Determine treatment efficacy.