Epilepsy Outpatient Department and EEC Laboratory
What do we offer?
- Provision of comprehensive advice and longterm support in dealing with matters relating to epilepsy within our Epilepsy Outpatient Department
- Waking, sleeping and night-time EEG monitoring with a variety of problems
- Vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) therapy
- Epilepsy Family Training Programme (FAMOSES)
What is an electroencephalogram (EEG)?
Electroencephalography is still one of the most important technical investigation methods in neurology, especially in the field of paediatrics. The electroencephalogram, or EEG, shows the brain waves, or their electrical potential. The main area in which EEG is used is in diagnosing strokes and epilepsy.
Who comes to see us?
Children and young people from infancy to age 18 (over 18 in special cases). More than 2,000 EEG investigations are carried out here every year.
In what cases is an EEG required?
- Epilepsy
- Cerebral seizure
- Craniocerebral trauma
- Headaches
- Sleep disorders
- Developmental disorders of unclear origin, partial performance disorders
- Before cochlear implant (CI) care and during treatment
- Language development problems
- Micro-/macrocephaly
- Intoxications caused by medication
- Encephalopathy/ suspected increased intracranial pressure
- Confirmed ADD/ADHD (attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity disorder), especially before the start of treatment with stimulants and/or during treatment
- Preparation of reports
How is an EEG carried out?
The EEG is a painless, risk-free investigation. The brainwaves are monitored with very sensitive measurement electrodes placed on the scalp. The EEG is carried out when the patient is awake or asleep. Eyes should ideally be closed during the examination. EEG when the patient is awake generally takes at least 20 minutes. Sleeping monitoring takes around 30-45 minutes and can either be carried out during spontaneous sleep or after several hours of sleep deprivation, or after the administration of melatonin to induce sleep. Sometimes a longterm EEG needs to be carried out over a longer period, e.g. overnight or for up to 24 hours. A video recording is made for diagnostic purposes during the EEG.