ROLE OF VIDEO-EEG MONITORING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INTRACTABLE SEIZURES AND NON-EPILEPTIC SPELLS

Objective: To identify the role of video-electro encephalography (VEEG) in the diagnosis of intractable epileptic and non- epileptic events. Methods: Two experienced neurologists independently reviewed VEEGs of consecutive patients referred to our epilepsy monitoring unit during the period 2003-2005. R e s u l t s : There were 33 patients in all (16 males and 17 females, mean age 23 years) with a mean VEEG recording time of 21 hours. Clinically, 16 had partial and 17 had generalized seizures. A total of fifteen patients did not show any epileptiform activity during the recording. Of these, 12 epileptic patients were referred for possible pseudoseizures due to the atypical nature of their episodes. This diagnosis was confirmed via negative EEG correlations in all these patients. Conclusion: Video-EEG reliably identifies a very important subset of patients with suspected epilepsy who actually have non-epileptic pseudoseizures. The technique also accurately correlates partial seizures with epileptiform discharges arising from a recognizable focus.