Screening electroencephalograms are feasible in the emergency department

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Medical Devices
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Emergency departments (EDs) frequently encounter patients with possible seizure disorders.
• Rapid and accurate diagnostic tools are crucial for timely patient management.
• Current diagnostic methods for seizure disorders in the ED may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and quality of a wireless, four-channel screening electroencephalogram (EEG) device.
• To evaluate the utility of ED-based screening EEG in patients with suspected seizure disorders.
• To determine the rate of identification of sub-clinical epileptiform activity.

Main Methods:

• A convenience sample of 227 ED patients with suspected seizure disorders was enrolled.
• Patients underwent a screening EEG using a wireless, four-channel device.
• Emergency physicians and patients were blinded to EEG results to avoid influencing care.

Main Results:

• EEG quality was acceptable in 92% of cases (208/227).
• EEG interpretations revealed normal findings in 65% of patients.
• Generalized or focal slowing was identified in 24%, and sub-clinical epileptiform activity in 12%.

Conclusions:

• Wireless, four-channel screening EEGs are feasible for use in the emergency department.
• The device provides acceptable quality for screening purposes.
• ED-based screening EEG can detect significant sub-clinical seizure activity.