Glossary of Terms Neurodiagnostic Testing
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Sometimes referred to as the "brain wave test," an EEG records the electrical activity of the brain. EEGs are performed on patients who have experienced seizures, epilepsy, passing out, headaches or brain attacks (strokes). To perform an EEG, small metal disks are attached with a conductive cream to the scalp of the patient. The patient is asked to lie quietly for 20-30 minutes while data are being recorded. During the recording, the technologist will ask the patient to open and close his or her eyes, perform hyperventilation (breathing faster and deeper than usual), look at a strobe light and go to sleep. The entire procedure, including patient set-up, takes approximately two hours.
Ambulatory EEG
This EEG is differs from a routine EEG (above) in that the patient wears electrodes home for up to one week so that more information can be gathered. The electrodes feed data into a small recorder that gathers information over the 24-hour period. During an ambulatory EEG, the patient wears electrodes attached to the scalp to monitor brain waves, and the chest to record the heart rate. The patient comes back to the hospital for removal of the electrodes.
Long-Term Monitoring for Epilepsy (LTME)
Epilepsy patients are observed through the use of an EEG with simultaneous video monitoring. This is done to document seizure activity over an extended period of time. Patients typically remain in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit for four days.
Evoked Potentials (EP)
The EP provides a measurement of how long it takes an impulse to travel from a point of stimulation to the brain. There are three modalities, or types, of EPs: Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER), Visual Evoked Response (VER) and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP) of the arms or legs. Evoked potentials are performed to detect and determine the severity of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or disease and brainstem injury or disease. Evoked potentials may also be used to determine brain death. To perform an EP, small metal disks are attached to the scalp and to various places along the path of the nerve being tested. When performing multiple modalities, four to six hours may be needed.
Electrocorticography (ECOG)
Electrocorticography is performed to take recordings directly from the surface of the brain through special electrodes. This is done to localize the exact area of abnormal seizure activity arising from the brain.
Intraoperative Monitoring (IOM)
Neurodiagnostic modalities can be used to ensure patient safety during surgery. The electrical activity of the central nervous system is monitored while the patient is undergoing surgery. The electrical activity from the brain, brainstem, spinal cord and/or peripheral nerves is recorded. EEGs, EPs, ECOG and electromyograms (to detect muscle innervation) are commonly performed during surgical procedures.