Ambulatory EEG Monitoring, Reviewing, and Interpreting.

Abstract

This section of this volume of the Journal of Neurophysiology's review of ambulatory EEG (aEEG) is an overview of the uses of the technique, the clinicians who most often use it, and why they use it. It looks at the use of aEEG from the perspectives of the "generalist" and the "specialist" and discusses where they have similar interests and where their interest may diverge. It compares the use of aEEG to the more classic inpatient-based epilepsy monitoring unit service and compares the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches (aEEG vs. epilepsy monitoring unit). This section then reviews how aEEGs are clinically interpreted based on a best practices approach and how aEEGs can be modified to address recording problems that, until recently, have been approached only in an epilepsy monitoring unit environment. Finally, this section addresses the qualifications necessary for the proper interpretation and reporting of aEEG studies. At the end of this section, there are five case examples using aEEG techniques that demonstrate various aspects covered in this section. These case reports demonstrate not only the utility of aEEG but also show how aEEG recordings can be integrated into the care of complex clinical situations that are frequently encountered not only by the practicing generalists but also by epilepsy specialists who practices out of a comprehensive epilepsy program.