Video Eeg: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

A Video EEG can be characterized as a diagnostic test associated with the recording of your brainwaves on an EEG along with a video of what is going on at that particular time. The purpose of this test is to be able to find out what is going on at the time of a seizure. After this the picture is compared to what the EEG is recording at that time. The occurrence of sound at that particular time is also recorded. The sound is recorded by picking up a sound made by a person during an event or during a normal conversation. By this process, the doctors are able to figure out and tell what exactly was going on at the time of a seizure or if the seizure was related to the electrical activity in the brain. In case it was, this event would be called an epilepsy seizure.

Video-EEG is the most beneficial form of determining if a seizure with an unusual feature is actually an epilepsy, or not. It is also helpful in identifying the area of the brain where the seizure began and to pinpoint the particular type of seizure felt. Identifying the precise location of the area is quite essential is there is a consideration of epilepsy surgery.

The first step of the procedure is the placement of EEG leads on the head along with collodion (a special paste), just like that of an ambulatory EEG testing. The head and electrodes are generally covered by a gauze dressing or cap. You are then admitted to a room of the epilepsy monitoring unit. This is the place where the EEG, audio and video recording is done. The electrodes are usually connected to a cord or wire that is attached to a cassette. It is a possibility that the wire can also be linked to a special EEG connection to a nearby machine or in the wall. There is an increase in the usage of wireless systems in monitoring rooms. The epilepsy doctors may also lower your medications in order to make the seizures more likely to take place. Sometimes there are other things done to trigger the seizures. For example, usage of flash lights, deprive you of sleep or make you exercise hard. The goal associated with this diagnosis is the recording of you recurrent seizures and to make sure you are safe. Sometimes lowering the dosage of medications not only bring the normal seizures but also a seizure that is long-term or bigger than the previous one. Doctors and nurses will then give you medications which will act quickly to stop the repeated seizures in case they occur during the test.

People who continue to have a number of seizures which are either long-term or recurrent even after having antiepileptic medications are eligible for the treatment.

A person who is having seizures not because of epilepsy but some other known reason is not eligible for the diagnosis of Video EEG as this test is solely for the purpose of determining the cause, type and region of epileptic seizures.

The only side effects associated with this diagnosis is that there will be a recurrence of seizures and it may also occur at the time of testing and recording. The repeated seizures may also be dangerous for the patient in many ways, though there are safe measures and precautions taken during the test.

The post treatment guidelines after the test of Video EEG are to have a proper meal and hydrate yourself with fruit juices and water. The next step is to take a proper rest followed by a proper nap at night. Avoid exercising for a day or two thereafter.

It takes a proper sleep after the treatment and just a day off from the normal routine to get back on track after the diagnosis and the occurrence of repeated seizures (if so).

The starting price of the test ranges from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,200. On the other hand the average price of the test in different cities is an average of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,200 which goes up to Rs. 3,200.

The result of the test is permanent as it will check your brainwaves and carry out a number of recording in order to come to a conclusion of brain activity at the time of a seizure. The reports of the test will confirm the fact and the doctor can suggest you the following steps thereafter.

The alternative diagnosis to Video EEG is a Video ambulatory EEG which is a new technique that adds an increased capacity for the long term monitoring of EEG in comparison with an overstretched inpatient video telemetry services.