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Epilepsy Monitoring

Epilepsy is condition that causes recurrent seizures in a similar pattern. A detailed understanding of the seizure patterns is important in planning treatment. Epilepsy monitoring can be performed as an outpatient or as an inpatient.

Outpatient Video/EEG monitoring

While in the outpatient EEG laboratory, patients are connected to monitors to record brain activity for as long as 6 hours.

24-Hour Ambulatory EEG

A monitor is used for 24 hours to record brain activity on a cassette recorder during a person's daily routine. The patient keeps an activity log that is later compared to the brain wave patterns.

Patient room dedicated to epilepsy monitoring. Inset is a close up
of monitoring equipment.

Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

Patients are admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) for several days to evaluate their seizure patterns while they are on reduced doses of antiepileptic medications. Brain wave patterns and physical activity are monitored 24 hours a day, through simultaneous EEG and audio/video monitoring, to study a patient's seizures over an extended period.

Inpatient epilepsy monitoring occurs in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Barrow Neurological Institute, on the campus of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. The information obtained from the monitoring is used by a multidisciplinary team to evaluate, diagnose, plan treatment, and coordinate care for patients of all ages with seizures.

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