#169 The interictal EEG
The electroencephalogram is a nearly 100-year old neurodiagnostic instrument. And yet, we learn new things from it every day. This week on the BrainWaves podcast, Dr. Tracey Milligan (Mass General Brigham) reviews the indications and utilization of a routine scalp EEG. Also discussed: Limitations of scalp EEG Brain surgery Non-epileptic events Why YOU should consider becoming an epileptologist Produced by James E. Siegler and Tracey Milligan. Music courtesy of Steve Combs, Lee Roosevere, Siddhartha, Soft and Furious, Patches, and Magic in the Other. The opening theme was composed by Jimothy Dalton. Sound effects by Mike Koenig and Daniel Simion. Unless otherwise mentioned in the podcast, no competing financial interests exist in the content of this episode. James Siegler reports having received consulting fees from Ceribell, which produces a bedside scalp EEG with automated seizure detection. However, there is no specific reference to this device or company, nor was this episode sponsored by Ceribell. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for clinical decision making. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @brainwavesaudio for the latest updates to the podcast. REFERENCES Wiebe S, Blume WT, Girvin JP, Eliasziw M, Effectiveness and Efficiency of Surgery for Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Study G. A randomized, controlled trial of surgery for temporal-lobe epilepsy. The New England journal of medicine. 2001;345:311-8. Cascino GD. Clinical indications and diagnostic yield of video-electroencephalographic monitoring in patients with seizures and spells. Mayo Clinic proceedings. 2002;77:1111-20. Pillai J and Sperling MR. Interictal EEG and the diagnosis of epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2006;47 Suppl 1:14-22. Bouma HK, Labos C, Gore GC, Wolfson C and Keezer MR. The diagnostic accuracy of routine electroencephalography after a first unprovoked seizure. European journal of neurology : the official journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies. 2016;23:455-63. Debicki DB. Electroencephalography after a single unprovoked seizure. Seizure. 2017;49:69-73.