Role of short-term out patient video electroencephalography in diagnosis of paroxysmal disorders.

BACKGROUND

To distinguish epileptic seizures from non-epileptic paroxysmal events, we often use video electroencephalography (EEG) recording. Long-term video electroencephalography recording for inpatients is of good value, but, it necessitates much resources (financial and manpower). There is some evidence suggesting that short-term video EEG (STVEEG) is useful, but its role in practice has yet to be evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the usefulness of STVEEG in the diagnosis of different paroxysmal disorders and classifying epilepsy if present.

METHODS

Thirty sex patients had STVEEG recordings (for 2h) during a 15 months period.

RESULTS

A diagnostic event was recorded in 21 of 36 (58.3%) within the first 2h of monitoring: PNES (n=11), epilepsy (n=5), and other paroxysmal disorders e.g. syncope, hemifacial spasm, movement disorder (n=5).

CONCLUSIONS

STVEEG is a useful diagnostic technique in diagnosis of different paroxysmal disorders and it can be used as a successful screening test for saving other resources like prolonged inpatient video EEG recording.