Role of Video-EEG in Children

Routine electroencephalogram (EEG) has many limitations, especially the inability to capture reported habitual events in question. A prolonged EEG with synchronized video (video-EEG) overcomes some of these limitations by improving the sensitivity, specificity and the diagnostic yield by attempting to record the habitual events when they are frequent and when indicated. Video-EEG is employed commonly for the diagnosis and classification of epilepsy/epilepsy syndromes, to distinguish between seizures and seizures mimickers, for pre-surgical evaluation and in the management of critically ill children. The duration of recording would vary depending on the indication and frequency of events. Ambulatory EEG is another cost effective and convenient alternative in certain circumstances. However, availability of the machines and expertise, accessibility, affordability and labor intensive nature of the procedure limit widespread use in India. This review explores the role of video-EEG in the management of children with epileptic and non-epileptic paroxysmal events with respect to routine clinical practice in India.