Video EEG (video-electroencephalography) is an advanced diagnostic tool used in neurology to monitor and analyze the brain's electrical activity while simultaneously recording video of the patient. This allows for a direct correlation between clinical events, such as seizures, and the corresponding brain activity patterns. Here's an overview:
Diagnosing Epilepsy: Confirms whether observed episodes are seizures or related to other conditions like syncope or psychogenic non-epileptic events. Localizing the Seizure Focus: Identifies the brain region where seizures originate, essential for planning surgical treatments. Treatment Evaluation: Assesses the effectiveness of anti-epileptic medications. Classifying Seizures: Differentiates between various types of seizures.
How it Works Electrode Placement: Electrodes are placed on the scalp to measure electrical activity in the brain. Video Recording: A continuous video is recorded, capturing physical symptoms or movements during events. Simultaneous Monitoring: Both EEG data and video are analyzed together to link brain activity with clinical symptoms. Duration: Monitoring can last several hours to days, depending on the case.
Applications Pre-surgical Evaluation: Determines if a patient is a candidate for epilepsy surgery. Monitoring for Non-Epileptic Events: Differentiates seizures from conditions like psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). Critical Care: Used in ICU settings for continuous monitoring of brain activity. This test is non-invasive and provides valuable insights into brain function, making it a cornerstone for epilepsy and neurological disorder management.