videoEEG

Video EEG, or video-EEG, is a diagnostic procedure that merges continuous electroencephalography recording of brain electrical activity with synchronized video monitoring of the patient. The combination allows clinicians to correlate EEG abnormalities with observed behavior, movements, or clinical events, improving interpretation of seizures and other paroxysmal events.

Standard EEG data are collected with scalp electrodes placed according to the international 10-20 system. The video component uses a camera and sometimes supplementary audio, with time-aligned timestamps to synchronize signals. Additional channels such as ECG, EOG, and EMG may be recorded to aid seizure characterization.

Monitoring is typically performed in an inpatient epilepsy monitoring unit for several days to maximize the chance of capturing events. Ambulatory video-EEG offers extended monitoring outside the hospital using portable equipment. Patients or caregivers can log events, which are later correlated with EEG findings by clinicians.

Clinical uses include diagnosing epilepsy, classifying seizure types, distinguishing epileptic from non-epileptic events (such as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures), localizing seizure onset for surgical planning, and monitoring response to therapy. It is also used in intensive care to detect nonconvulsive status epilepticus.

Advantages of video-EEG include higher diagnostic accuracy and the ability to relate clinical signs to specific EEG patterns. Limitations include susceptibility to movement and electrode artifacts, the need for prolonged recording to capture spontaneously occurring events, discomfort or inconvenience for patients, and considerable resource requirements.