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January 01, 2013; 80 (1 Supplement 1) How not to read an EEG

Normal “suspicious” EEG

William O. Tatum
First published December 24, 2012, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e31827974df
William O. Tatum
From the Department of Neurology, Mayo College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.
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Normal “suspicious” EEG
William O. Tatum
Neurology Jan 2013, 80 (1 Supplement 1) S4-S11; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31827974df

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Abstract

The EEG is a unique measure of electrical brain function and is widely used in patients with seizures. Many normal variants and variations of normal EEG have a predilection for the temporal lobe and mimic epileptiform discharges. The high prevalence of temporal lobe epilepsy and the propensity for normal variants to occupy the temporal lobe may result in an undesired bias, leading to misidentification of normal waveforms. Learning the common pitfalls, such as the variations of normal EEG, benign variants, and common artifacts, are essential lessons in EEG. Continuing education and acquiring experience in EEG interpretation are the basic tools to ensure patient safety. Above all, judging the results of the EEG interpretation in light of the patient's clinical symptoms is a prerequisite to ensure proper management.

GLOSSARY

ED=
epileptiform discharge;
SREDA=
subclinical rhythmic EEG discharges in adults

Footnotes

  • Go to Neurology.org for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the author, if any, are provided at the end of the article.

  • Received November 16, 2011.
  • Accepted September 25, 2012.
  • © 2012 American Academy of Neurology
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • GLOSSARY
    • EPILEPTIFORM DISCHARGES
    • PITFALLS OF PATTERN RECOGNITION
    • SUSPICIOUS MINDS
    • CONCLUDING STATEMENTS
    • AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
    • DISCLOSURE
    • ACKNOWLEDGMENT
    • Footnotes
    • REFERENCES
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