While video EEG monitoring is considered safe, there is a slight risk of triggering a sequence of seizures in an epileptic patient. Other than some greasy deposits in the hair where the electrodes were placed, there should be no after effects of the procedure. For extended intervals, patients will be free to read, do puzzles or watch television. The procedure is painless and will include downtime. For this reason patients are reminded not to use hairsprays or gels before undergoing a video EEG.ĭuring the examination, patients may be asked to look at a strobe light or to hold their breaths for brief periods. During the video EEG procedure, electrodes will be applied to the patient's scalp in order to record electrical activity in the brain. These measures are taken to provoke seizural activity so it can be monitored. Prior to the procedure, patients are usually required to stop taking their anti-seizure medication and may be asked to cut back on their sleep as well. These tests also help physicians assess whether further testing is necessary or whether a surgical procedure to control seizures is likely to be effective.

By monitoring and recording bodily reactions, video EEGs provide valuable information about the possible causes of the seizures being experienced and about appropriate treatments. This test, which takes place in a hospital setting, makes use of a split screen on a computer to visualize a video recording of the patient while simultaneously displaying EEG readings of the patient's brain activity.Īdministered over a prolonged period, usually several days to a week, both the video and EEG recordings are stored so that brain activity before, during and after seizures can be evaluated. A video electroencephalogram is a diagnostic test used on patients with epilepsy to monitor seizures and record important data about them.

Eeg monitoring