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Normal EEG but continuing seizures

Thu, 04/23/2009 - 13:55

Hi,

I have been having e for the past 12-13 years. It was rather well-controlled with medication (phenobarbital) till about 6 to 7 months back, when it started again but with different characteristics. The characteristics changed again about a month back, but my EEG which was sleep-deprived with medication came out to be normal.

Is this possible or could it be because of the mugs of coffee that i had to stay awake? Incidentally, the week i had my eeg, i was seizure free.

Would appreciate if anyone could throw some light on this! :-)

 

Comments

Re: Normal EEG but continuing seizures

Submitted by sardarbur on Fri, 2009-07-03 - 12:52

Sometimes people with seizures can have normal EEG's because the EEG only reads 3-5 mm into the cortex. The EEG will not pick up deep-brain seizure activity. I am a recent graduate from a Neurodiagnostic program and we discussed this topic quite often in my EEG classes. During my rotation in EEG, I have seen A LOT of EEG's where the patient is hooked up, and they never have a seizure during the test, even though they are sleep deprived. If you don't mind me asking, what type of seizures do you have? How have they changed in presentation? Have all of your EEG's been normal in the past?

I hope this information helps you out!

Thanks

Sometimes people with seizures can have normal EEG's because the EEG only reads 3-5 mm into the cortex. The EEG will not pick up deep-brain seizure activity. I am a recent graduate from a Neurodiagnostic program and we discussed this topic quite often in my EEG classes. During my rotation in EEG, I have seen A LOT of EEG's where the patient is hooked up, and they never have a seizure during the test, even though they are sleep deprived. If you don't mind me asking, what type of seizures do you have? How have they changed in presentation? Have all of your EEG's been normal in the past?

I hope this information helps you out!

Thanks

Re: Normal EEG but continuing seizures

Submitted by Masterjen on Thu, 2010-09-16 - 11:12
I'm not sure if you still read this thread or not, but I would love to ask you a couple of questions about EEG testing, if you don't mind (or if anyone else has knowledge of the ins and outs of the technical aspects of EEG testing, feel free to respond!!) 1. How common is it to do invasive EEG testing/monitoring (where they somehow, somewhere stick and electrode "inside" (your head??) to detect activity from the deeper structures of the brain? 2. What are the risks with an invasive EEG? 3. Are there other ways to detect activity from the deeper structures? 4. Would an MRI or other "external" test (SPECT, MEG) give the same info.? 5. Several of the characteristics of FLE seem to fit the type of sz I have, and my research indicates that EEGs can be normal in these cases. Is this because the focus is too deep for routine (non-invasive) EEG, or some other reason? I also created a new thread entitled ("technical questions about EEG testing") under 'diagnostic testing and dilemmas', in hopes of catching the attention of potential responders). Thanks for your help.

Re: Normal EEG but continuing seizures

Submitted by p59 on Fri, 2010-09-17 - 17:48

Hi,

 

I read you reponse and have a question. My last EEG about 3 weeks ago came back normal my first 2 were abnormal. I was diagnosed with partial onset TLE 2 years ago. In August I had at least 10 minor seizures and 1 seizure that last 5 minutes with positical for 20 minutes. Last week I went like a rag doll at work so I think I may have had an Atonic Seizure. What is the cause for all of this??? I am taking my AED like I am suppose to and it is still happening. I was told with TLE it is hard to pin point it on an EEG unless you are in a seizure or just coming out of one. Another thing is I use to not mind having a picture taken but now I a flash hits me and it feels like someone just drove nails into my eyes and thru the back of my skull. I hope that maybe you can shed some more light on this.

 

Neil

Hi,

 

I read you reponse and have a question. My last EEG about 3 weeks ago came back normal my first 2 were abnormal. I was diagnosed with partial onset TLE 2 years ago. In August I had at least 10 minor seizures and 1 seizure that last 5 minutes with positical for 20 minutes. Last week I went like a rag doll at work so I think I may have had an Atonic Seizure. What is the cause for all of this??? I am taking my AED like I am suppose to and it is still happening. I was told with TLE it is hard to pin point it on an EEG unless you are in a seizure or just coming out of one. Another thing is I use to not mind having a picture taken but now I a flash hits me and it feels like someone just drove nails into my eyes and thru the back of my skull. I hope that maybe you can shed some more light on this.

 

Neil

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