Electroencephalogram (EEG)

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An Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a brain wave test that detects abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain. This helps us to diagnose:

• Seizure disorders
• Head injuries
• Sleep disorders
• Causes of unconsciousness
• Other neurological conditions

Despite what you might have heard elsewhere, an EEG does not treat or cure illness, read your mind, give you an electric shock or measure your IQ.

A registered technologist performs EEGs. The technologist applies electrodes (small metal disks) to your scalp with an adhesive gel or paste. The gel looks and smells like clear nail polish. The paste is odorless and looks like toothpaste. This is a painless procedure and the gel or paste is easily removed after the test.

The electrodes pick up your brain's electrical activity and carry it by wires to a computer that amplifies the signals and stores them. Later, a trained neurophysiologist interprets these signals. The neurophysiologist sends a report to your doctor, who will discuss the results with you. This whole process takes about a week. traumatic brain injury epilepsy

The most important way to prepare for your EEG: Don't sleep. We record a portion of your EEG during natural sleep, so you should get less than half your normal sleep the night before the test. In some cases, patients must stay awake all night. Don't sleep during the ride to the hospital.

If you know you won't be able to fall asleep naturally during the EEG, let us know in advance and we'll arrange to administer a mild sedative.

• Plan on two hours for the EEG.
• Wash your hair either the night before or the morning of the EEG. Do not use grease, hair spray, oils or conditioners.
• Eat normally. But avoid caffeine coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and alcohol for 24 hours prior to the test.
• Take your usual medications as prescribed by your physician.
• Have someone drive you to and from the test. It's unsafe for you to drive a vehicle for several hours after the test because you will be sleep deprived. If you take public transportation, you should not travel alone.

Routine EEG 41 to 60 Minutes and over 1 hour.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to find problems related to electrical activity of the brain. An EEG tracks and records brain wave patterns. Small metal discs with thin wires (electrodes) are placed on the scalp, and then send signals to a computer to record the results.

Sleep Studies: Most EEG tests record brain waves while you are awake and drowsy. ... During an ambulatory EEG, electrodes are applied to your scalp with glue and are connected to a unit worn on a belt while you go about your usual activity.

Typically, neurologists use 95816 and 95819 to identify abnormalities associated with the transition from awake to sleep or vice versa.

Slow wave sleep which is seen for longer periods in all night eeg sleep reveal patterns of abnormal discharges that may not have been seen in the awake record or during a light stage of sleep. 

24-hour EEG monitoring is performed by a recorder that continuously records brain wave patterns during a patient's routine daily activities and sleep up to 72 hours. An ambulatory EEG can be done with or without video recording. The monitoring equipment includes an electrode set, preamplifiers, and a recorder. The electrodes attach to the scalp, and the leads are connected to a recorder, usually worn on a belt. Ambulatory EEG allows patients to be evaluated in their natural environments, with exposure to potential stressors and other seizure triggers.

Monitoring for localization of cerebral seizure focus by cable or radio, 16 or more channel telemetry, combined electroencephalographic (EEG) and video recording and interpretation (e.g., for presurgical localization), each 24 hours