The Correlation between Electroencephalography Amplitude and Interictal Abnormalities Audit study
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2014, Vol 14, Issue 4
Abstract
Objectives: Te aim of this study was to establish the relationship between background amplitude and interictal abnormalities in routine electroencephalography (EEG). Methods: Tis retrospective audit was conducted between July 2006 and December 2009 at the Department of Clinical Physiology at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman. A total of 1,718 electroencephalograms (EEGs) were reviewed. All EEGs were from patients who had been referred due to epilepsy, syncope or headaches. EEGs were divided into four groups based on their amplitude: group one ≤20 μV; group two 21–35 μV; group three 36–50 μV, and group four >50 μV. Interictal abnormalities were defned as epileptiform discharges with or without associated slow waves. Abnormalities were identifed during periods of resting, hyperventilation and photic stimulation in each group. Results: Te mean age ± standard deviation of the patients was 27 ± 12.5 years. Of the 1,718 EEGs, 542 (31.5%) were abnormal. Interictal abnormalities increased with amplitude in all four categories and demonstrated a signifcant association (P <0.05). A total of 56 EEGs (3.3%) had amplitudes that were ≤20 μV and none of these showed interictal epileptiform abnormalities. Conclusion: EEG amplitude is an important factor in determining the presence of interictal epileptiform abnormalities in routine EEGs. Tis should be taken into account when investigating patients for epilepsy. A strong argument is made for considering long-term EEG monitoring in order to identify unexplained seizures which may be secondary to epilepsy. It is recommended that all tertiary institutions provide EEG telemetry services.
Authors and Affiliations
Sami F. Al-Rawas| Department of Clinical Physiology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Rajesh P. Poothrikovil| Department of Clinical Physiology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Khidir M. Abdelbasit| Department of Mathematics & Statistics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Robert S. Delamont| Department of Neurology, Institute of Epileptology, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP14498
- DOI -
- Views 380
- Downloads 10
Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Morbidity due to Acute Diarrhoea in Infants and Children in Sanaa, Yemen A randomized controlled double blind clinical trial
Objectives: To study the impact of zinc administration on the morbidity and mortality attributed to diarrhoea among children less than 5 years old. Methods: Te study design was a randomized double blinded controlled cli...
2nd National Symposium on Sleep Medicine Oman Respiratory Society and Sultan Qaboos University Hospital 4-5th May 2011
Porcelain Gallbladder Decoding the malignant truth
Gallbladder calcifcation, also referred to as porcelain gallbladder, has received signifcant attention in the medical literature due to its perceived role in increasing the risk of developing a gallbladder carcinoma. H...
Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Diabetic Patients on Metformin Therapy: A cross-sectional study from Oman
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency amongst diabetic patients on metformin therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at general clinics at the University He...
Hepatobiliary Complications of Sickle Cell Disease among Children Admitted to Al Wahda Teaching Hospital, Aden, Yemen
Objectives: Tis study aimed to describe the pattern of hepatobiliary complications among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and to assess their correlation with age, gender and other risk factors. Methods: Tis cro...