Mughis Sheerani, Urfy M Z.
Electroencephalogram (EEG): Basics and interpretation for non-neurologists.
Pak J Neurological Sci Jan ;1(1):30-3.

The diagnosis of epilepsy remains clinical but electroencephalography (EEG) is the cornerstone in further classification of seizure subtypes and recognition of different epilepsy syndromes. Classification and recognition of epilepsy syndrome is important as it impacts treatment options. There are several indications for performing an EEG but its foremost importance remains when there is a clinical suspicion of an epileptic disorder. EEGs can also be useful in the evaluation of patients who have an altered level of consciousness such as in encephalopathies. This could be either due to a metabolic, infectious, or degenerative process. Though EEG will be helpful in diagnosing encephalopathies, specific causes can only be identified in selected clinical scenarios, e.g. Herpetic encephalitis or hepatic encephalopathy where there are specific recognizable patterns. A focal brain lesion like cerebral infarction, hemorrhage and neoplasm also shows changes on the EEG and can be picked up by this test, but the ideal test for them remains brain imaging. In pediatric patients, EEG is helpful to determine the level of maturation of the brain and differentiating a variety of confusing spells in this age group, like apneic spells. However, it is important to recognize that a normal routine EEG does not exclude the diagnoses of epilepsy.

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