Outpatient long-term video EEG as new diagnostic approach in Germany: results of a feasibility study

Abstract

In Germany, long-term video EEG as the gold standard for the diagnostics of epilepsy and other seizure disorders, is currently only available for inpatient monitoring in alimited number of specialized centers. These limited monitoring capacities and the large amount of associated time and work resources lead to asignificant waiting time for this important diagnostic procedure nationwide. New portable sensor technology and automated data analysis methods are creating opportunities for gold standard long-term video EEG assessments in outpatient settings, which may help to resolve this barrier. Here, we report the results of asingle-center feasibility study by implementing outpatient long-term video EEG (ALVEEG) as adiagnostic pathway in Germany. In the new diagnostic pathway, the use of innovative, portable video EEG monitoring systems along with artificial intelligence-assisted data analysis are intended to provide those patients affected by seizure disorders with amore rapid, efficient, and cross-sectoral access to gold standard diagnostics in the home environment. The diagnostics were well accepted by patients and clinicians and may represent acomplementary option to inpatient monitoring to eliminate current bottlenecks in diagnostics and care.