The role of long-term video EEG in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of epilepsy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of long-term video EEG (LT-VEEG) in epileptic and non-epileptic seizure disorders.  Methods The LT-VEEG data of 279 patients who was diagnosed as epilepsy or suspected epilepsy due to paroxysmal events were analyzed retrospectively.  Results Among 279 cases, 122 cases (43.73%) were detected clinical seizures. Among them, 84 cases who had been found synchronous epileptic discharge in fit period were diagnosed as epilepsy, and 38 cases without synchronous epileptic discharge were diagnosed as non-epileptic seizures. In 157 cases (56.27%) who were not detected seizures, there were 102 cases being monitored interictal epileptiform discharges. In 188 patients who had been monitored epileptic attack or interictal epileptic discharge, 97 cases were identified seizure types, among whom 75 cases were further diagnosed as epilepsy syndrome.  Conclusions The LT-VEEG has important clinical value in the diagnosis and typing of epilepsy and differential diagnosis with non-epileptic seizures.

doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2014.11.012