Clinical utility of EEG in diagnosing and monitoring epilepsy in adults

Clin Neurophysiol. 2018 May;129(5):1056-1082. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.01.019. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Abstract

Electroencephalography (EEG) remains an essential diagnostic tool for people with epilepsy (PWE). The International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology produces new guidelines as an educational service for clinicians to address gaps in knowledge in clinical neurophysiology. The current guideline was prepared in response to gaps present in epilepsy-related neurophysiological assessment and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgement in the care of PWE. Furthermore, addressing specific pathophysiological conditions of the brain that produce epilepsy is of primary importance though is beyond the scope of this guideline. Instead, our goal is to summarize the scientific evidence for the utility of EEG when diagnosing and monitoring PWE.

Keywords: EEG; Epilepsy; Epileptiform; Guideline; Seizure.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Seizures / diagnosis*
  • Seizures / physiopathology