[Diagnosis of status epilepticus by continuous EEG monitoring in a neurointensive care unit].

Continuous EEG monitoring use has documented a surprisingly high incidence of convulsive and non-convulsive status epilepticus in patients with acute brain injuries. Seizures are the cause of secondary insult. Many problems may be encountered during EEG recording, such as electrical interferences and artefacts arising from the patient. To minimise these problems, we suggest the following: train the bedside nurse, make a library of the artefacts, have the EEG technologist check electrodes and establish low impedance, have the electroencephalographer examine the EEG, correlate the activity and movements of the patient. In the diagnosis and the management of convulsive and non-convulsive status epilepticus, the value of continuous EEG monitoring appears to be established.