Re: EEG - Can anyone translate/ explain, please? NMC?

[lou031205]

I have received a copy of DD's initial report to the GP from the Developmental Paed, and it states:

"EEG showed spike and slow wave discharges, occipital discharges predominantly on the right. Background activity was not clearly abnormal and there was no photosensitivity. No clinical events occured during the recording."

Could anyone help me by explaining what that means? I am a nurse with some neurosurgical background, but not Epilepsy.

On his 'action list' at the end of the report is an ambulatory EEG and MRI under GA.

Thanks in advance!!

Lou, had to ask a similar Q of NMC myself on
this thread
I'm there somewhere halfway down (hijacking as usual 0.
HTH

No expert here (ds - so far, fingers crossed- only fitted for 3 days and he is rather atypical- but it looks like there is some electrical activity but not enough for visible seizures.

You will now say 'no sh*t Sherlock, they told me that in my first year at nursing school'. sorry

NMC come back, please

very similar to my DCs report - re spiking activity. We were told it just implied he would have a tendency to seizures, and was consistent with focal onset seizures, from oure descriptions . MRI scan was done to establish if any physical scarring or abnormality could be seen (all clear for us). Epilepsy finally confirmed after several more seizures. We did not have further EEGs.

The MRI was done as a day patient under general anaesthetic.

We didn't require further EEGs, and he was diagnosed with focal epilepsy (right temporal lobe, now fully medicated

I'm no expert, but hope that reassures you.

Thank you all - bump for further info!

I'm not here. really.

'"EEG showed spike and slow wave discharges, occipital discharges predominantly on the right. Background activity was not clearly abnormal and there was no photosensitivity. No clinical events occured during the recording."

Means there was eleptiform activity recorded in the right occipital lobe - thats the back/vision bit. There's probably a focal point there (scarring or lesion or damage) and the activity is enough to be picked up on an EEK (has to be over 6 sq cm to be recorded)
No seizures during the EEG which means bugger all about whether he has epilepsy or not.
Background actvity - if its not obviously abnormal that is a good sign. Background slowing always signifies some damage and very often appears when there is cognitve impairment. But the fact that they didn't label it normal means that its iffy and probably why they want a 24 hour EEG.

A short EEG gives you a tiny example. means 2 things. One, stuff can be missed so you need a longer EEG and 2, is enough to rule out something terrible like hypsaarythmia or continuous rythmic discharges which would be pretty bad.

No mention of bi-lateral discharges which is good.

If a 'normal' child's EEG was like that I'd say they either had epilepsy or the potential for epilepsy. If a brain damaged child's EEG was like that I'd be hanging out flags and cheering.

Thank you NMC, that helps a lot. So that would by why he didn't want to rush in and medicate DD, but said that should she have further drop attacks, he is likely to.

I thought the phrasing "not clearly abnormal" was a little out of place - so indicating that there is something amiss but can't put a definite label on it without further.

I wonder how long 24 EEG appointments take to come through...

lou031205 hijack sorry dd been told shes having drop attacks i just thought was unsteady on her feet, but nurse saw and said was drop attack. can you tell me what happes as i am sure dd is not drop attacks

Sorry to hijack but I have a question about EEG's as DD has to have one in January (I think they are trying to rule out absence seizures or whatever you call them nowadays - terminology has changed since I did my SN training!). Does the child have to sleep during an EEG? I'm not entirely sure how to arrange this. They told me to keep DD up really late then wake her up early but I'm not sure if that's going to be enough to make her sleep mid-day.

brioche not much help I'm afraid as DS always obliges by having a sleep during his EEGs - wouldn't wake up last time . Don't know how old your DD is (sorry) but a good lengthy walk in the pushchair always sends DS off to sleep and they will do the EEG whilst he is in the buggy.
We had a similar problem for his hearing test where he had to be asleep. Little buggar slept thru everything except the test. 2.5 hours we waited and he had about a minute long cat nap. Grrr. Thankfully that was enough, and it was induced with a lovely warm bottle feed. Its the only thing I can suggest - keep her snug and warm with a full belly, fave teddy etc. Keeping DS awake would only make him even more awake IYKWIM, and grumpy!
trace - could be good news if nurse thinks they are drop attacks (even if they are not), perhaps your dickhead neuro will start to take some notice. Not that I wish any of it on her, just might be another step in the right direction to finding out whats wrong.

Hi trace

With DD, the pre-school noticed that she would just 'drop' to the ground for no apparent reason. The most clear one was when she was stood at a play dough table, so obviously nothing to trip on, and not even moving. She just keeled over, then got up again.

No loss of consciousness, no jerking, shaking, or other symptoms.

I think the other name for them are 'atonic seizures'.

lou031205 yes that is what dd does to and seconds get back up but we have noticed she can hurt her self as she falls hard and dont suport her self

feelingbetter yes it says in rerport that the nurse as seen them

It does sound like drop attacks, to be honest, from my limited experience. It isn't so much that she doesn't support herself, but that she loses all her muscle tone, which means she can't break her fall.