Seizure provocation in EEG recordings: A data-driven approach

Recording seizures on video-EEG has a high diagnostic value. However, bilateral convulsive seizures constitute a risk for the patients. Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic yield and associated risks of provocation methods in short-term video-EEGs.

We extracted data on seizures and provocation methods from a large database of short-term video-EEGs with standardized annotations using SCORE (Standardized Computer-based Organized reporting of EEG).

2742 paroxysmal clinical episodes were recorded in 11 919 consecutive EEGs. Most epileptic seizures (54%) were provoked. Hyperventilation provoked most of typical absence seizures (55%), intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) provoked myoclonic seizures (25%) and most of bilateral convulsive seizures (55%), while 43% of focal seizures were precipitated by sleep. All but one of the 16 bilateral convulsive seizures were provoked by IPS or sleep. Latency between start of generalized photoparoxysmal EEG response and bilateral convulsive seizures were ≤3 s in all but one patient.

The large, structured database provides evidence for the diagnostic utility of various provocation methods in short-term video-EEGs. The risk of bilateral convulsive seizures is relatively small, but it cannot be prevented by stopping IPS after 3 s. A priori knowledge about seizure semiology helps planning patient-tailored provocation strategy in short-term video-EEGs.