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Epilepsy Surgery Evaluation |
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| MRI | Video EEG | Neuropsychological Testing | Wada | PET | SPECT | MEG | Implanted Electrodes |
Video EEG Monitoring
Video EEG is an inpatient diagnostic procedure that records the brain's electrical activity through electrodes attached to your scalp and the physical symptoms of your seizures through video recording. Video EEG helps determine where the abnormal activity is causing your seizures and determines if this area can be safely removed to reduce or eliminate your seizures. This is done during admission to a private room in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Patients typically stay 1 to 4 nights in the hospital.
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| View of Room from Guest Bed | View of Room from Entrance |
Preparing for Admission
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Wash your hair the morning of admission. Do not use any special conditioners, gels, mousse, hair spray, oils, or have artificial hair. You will not be able to wash your hair while you are being monitored.
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You should bring comfortable clothing. All shirts should button up the front to allow for easy changing.
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Smoking is not permitted during the hospital stay. Patient over age 18 will be provided a nicotine patch.
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There is room for two adults to stay with you while in the hospital. Patients under the age of 18 or who are developmentally delayed are required to have a parent or guardian with them during the entire stay.
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Patient meals are provided free of charge and visitor meals are available at a cost of $13.00 per day.
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You should bring all medications that you are currently taking in the containers provided by the pharmacy. Please bring enough medication for an entire week, as some medications may not be available from the hospital pharmacy.
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If you are an adult taking primidone, mysoline or phenobarbital and have not been given instructions to discontinue, please notify your doctor immediately.
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If you are female and are pregnant, or suspect that you may be, you should tell your physician and/or nurse before the admission begins.
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Items commonly brought by our patients include clothing, shoes, slippers, underwear, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving items, deodorant, shampoo, books, playing cards, magazines, board games, laptop computers, battery operated CD players, VCR tapes, snacks and calling cards.
Attaching Electrodes
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You must have clean, dry hair and remove all artificial hair.
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Most patients do not have an Intravenous Line (IV).
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The patient will sit upright in a chair while the EEG technologist measures his/her head to make certain the EEG electrodes are placed in the correct area. The technologist will use a great pen to mark on your scalp and face. The grease pen will rub off easily and will not permanently stain your skin.
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After your head is measured the EEG technologist will use a special glue to apply the electrodes to your scalp. The glue has a strong odor and may be unpleasant to smell but is not harmful.
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To help the glue dry the technologist will direct air onto the electrode. This may make a noise that you find unpleasant.
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It is important to remain very still during the measuring and application of the electrodes to make certain the recording is correct.
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The electrodes will be checked every day. Any electrodes that are not recording EEG activity will be reattached as they were on the first day of admission.
Removing Electrodes
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The physician will write an order to remove your electrodes on the day you are discharged. Electrodes cannot be removed without the physician's approval.
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Electrodes are removed using collodion remover to dissolve the glue. It has an oil base to it that will leave your hair and scalp feeling very greasy. It may take several consecutive shampoos to remove the greasy feeling. Every effort will be made to limit your discomfort.
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