If a routine EEG does not give all the information the doctor needs for the diagnosis and treatment of your epilepsy, occasionally special types of electrodes are used to get more information:

• Sphenoidal (sfee-NOY-dle) electrodes can record electrical activity from deep parts of the temporal and frontal lobes. They are used most often used during video-EEG monitoring studies. The technologist or doctor will swab your cheek just below your jaw hinge with rubbing alcohol, and may apply an anesthetic. Then a thin needle, carrying a thin wire, is inserted into the cheek. The needle is removed, and the wire is taped to your skin. You should experience little discomfort.
• Nasopharyngeal (NAY-zo-fa-RIN-je-al) electrodes are used occasionally to record electrical activity deep in the brain. They are now being used less often, however, because they involve some discomfort and doctors have found that regular electrodes often can provide the same information. These electrodes are plastic tubes with a wire inside, ending with a blunt metal tip. The electrodes are inserted through the nose until the metal tip is located in the upper back part of the nose (the nasopharynx). There may be some discomfort while the electrodes are being inserted. They are left in place for about 20 or 30 minutes during the study.

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 12/15/06