Quality of EEG recordings in neurology clinics in Iran

The aim of this study was to investigate the pitfalls in performing EEG in neurology centres in Iran, in order to identify any mistakes and provide appropriate advice for the neurology community. In this cross-sectional study, all patients who referred to the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from April through to June 2018, were asked to provide any EEGs they had from other neurology centres. We reviewed the following information from their EEGs: number of channels, the design of the montages, and the setting of the filters. Eighty EEGs from different neurology centres were studied. With respect to the number of channels, 27 centres (34%) recorded 16 or more channels. With regards to the montage design, 34 centres (43%) had an appropriate design(s). With respect to high-frequency filter, three centres (4%) recorded their EEGs with 70-Hz high filter. With regards to the low-frequency filter, 43 centres (54%) recorded their EEGs with 1-Hz or lower filter. Just one centre performed EEGs in a standard fashion considering all variables. In this study, we observed that most neurology centres in Iran did not record EEGs in a standard and acceptable fashion. Provision of a well-designed educational programme that ensures neurology residents are competent in the fundamentals of EEG recording and interpretation is of paramount significance.