From Diagnosis to Treatment: EEG Monitoring Use Cases
Published 2/13/2024
EEG monitoring services are a common diagnostic tool used to evaluate brain activity and determine a patient’s medical condition. Used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools, EEG monitoring can provide invaluable health data. Read on to learn more about several common use cases associated with EEG monitoring for patient management.
Confirm diagnosis
When a patient has a seizure for the first time, EEG can be a valuable evaluation and diagnostic tool. Various medical conditions can cause seizure activity and other changes in brain wave activity, including epilepsy, brain tumors, head injury, and stroke. The activity noted during an EEG can give insight into the type of seizure and how to treat it.
Similarly, if a patient experiences seizures that prove unresponsive to medication, an ambulatory EEG monitoring service can be helpful in pinpointing the type of epileptic seizure, identifying the seizures as partial or generalized, and unearthing other factors that may contribute to treatment issues. In this instance, EEG monitoring with video can be helpful, as non-epileptic events cannot be fully evaluated without this additional component.
Clarify the type of epilepsy
EEGs can detect unusual brain activity, a sign that can lead to an epilepsy diagnosis, and can further assist in determining which type of seizures the patient is experiencing. Each of the three types of epileptic seizures – focal, generalized, and unknown onset – has unique diagnostic characteristics. In the case of unknown onset, ambulatory EEG monitoring can be extremely beneficial.
Ambulatory EEG monitoring services can be especially informative thanks two key factors: patients can be monitored over a more extended period of time; and the monitoring occurs in a more typical day-to-day setting, which can assist in identifying potential triggers they may encounter in their home or other residential environment. These factors can lead to better and more defined treatment options.
In fact, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, “recording of interictal epileptiform discharges to classify the epilepsy syndrome is one of the most common indications for ambulatory EEG.”
Assessing the critically ill
EEG use among the critically ill can provide insight into the patient’s condition, and detect changes that are vital to understanding the condition’s severity and progression. EEG can pick up even minor alterations in brain function that may indicate the need for additional intervention.
For patients who may be experiencing a stroke or even those with cardiac issues, EEG monitoring services can identify and assess potential outcomes and prognosis, and can provide indications of brain injury. When time is of the essence, or a patient is deteriorating, EEGs can be a valuable source of information.
Decision to discontinue or modify treatment
EEG also has a role in the decision to discontinue treatment in seizure-free patients. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, this option should be considered in adults who have been seizure-free for two years, or in children who haven’t experienced a seizure in the last 12-24 months. Other guidelines should be considered when making such a significant medical decision, but in these instances, ambulatory EEG monitoring services can be useful in evaluating any changes to a patient’s prescriptions. Ambulatory EEG can also be utilized for monitoring once a doctor and patient have decided to potentially stop medication, and have begun to taper off the patient’s dose.
EEG monitoring services offer many unique benefits, from initial diagnosis to evaluation of treatment options. Ambulatory EEG monitoring can be especially useful in many cases. Teaming up with a company that offers ambulatory EEG monitoring can open up a range of options to meet the needs of patients in a variety of situations.
Neurotech is an EEG monitoring company that has partnered with many doctors and epileptologists to provide ambulatory EEG services across the nation. To learn more about the range of services and how to partner with Neurotech for your EEG needs, request an introductory call with a representative.