Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society
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EEG is a popular, low-cost examination used in neurologic and nonneurologic evaluations. Nevertheless, the diagnostic usefulness of EEG has some limitations, and it may increase medical costs. The manifestations of syncope may lead to misdiagnoses, and frequently, it is mislabeled as epilepsy. ⋯ Bilateral slow waves were more prevalent among adults. We conclude that EEG is not useful for evaluating the diagnosis of syncope because of its very low diagnostic yield. Patients with syncope must have a correct history and physical examination plus cardiovascular tests.
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J Clin Neurophysiol · Dec 2011
ReviewNeurophysiologic intraoperative monitoring of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.
Neurophysiologic intraoperative monitoring (NIOM) of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves (CN IX and X) is often used during surgeries involving the lower brain stem. Although both of these nerves contain sensory, autonomic, and motor fibers, it is the motor fibers that are most amenable to NIOM. CN IX supplies the stylopharyngeus muscle, and CN X supplies striated muscles in the soft palate, pharynx, and larynx. ⋯ Various surface and needle electrodes can be used to monitor these muscle groups. When CN IX is monitored, CN X should also be monitored, as it is often needed to differentiate when CN IX is selectively activated. Data are accumulating noting the use of monitoring these CN in tumor surgeries involving the lower brain stem.
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The aim was to determine the electroencephalographic (or electroencephalogram [EEG]) findings predictive of functional outcome in a subset of patients with acute subdural hematoma (SDH) with epileptiform activity on their EEG. Twenty-four patients who underwent evacuation for acute or acute-on-chronic SDH and with epileptiform activity on EEG were identified retrospectively. Their EEGs were reviewed and the findings categorized along with clinical information, the preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan, and functional outcome. ⋯ The EEG findings in this group of patients were complex. Epileptiform discharges were common, and specific types were associated with midline shift on neuroimaging and poor functional outcome at hospital discharge. Improvement in follow-up EEG examinations over time was predictive of good long-term functional outcome.
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The aim of this study is to characterize the significance of EEG findings during therapeutic hypothermia. ⋯ The majority of patients (20 of 26) had poor outcomes despite therapeutic hypothermia. Continuous EEG background with generalized slow-wave activity correlated with survival and better prognosis in this study.
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J Clin Neurophysiol · Oct 2011
Time-frequency analysis of somatosensory evoked potentials for intraoperative spinal cord monitoring.
To evaluate the potential use of time-frequency analysis and its reliability in intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) monitoring. ⋯ The SEP peak component was found stable and reliable during the different stages of surgery. For clinical application purpose, time-frequency analysis was suggested to be an additional monitoring method besides the conventional amplitude/latency measurement since it provided a more reproducible and prompt response to the potential injury in intraoperative SEP monitoring.