Book contents
- How to Read an EEG
- Reviews
- How to Read an EEG
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figure Contributions
- Foreword to the First Edition
- Preface
- How to Read This Book
- Part I Basics
- Part II Interpretation
- Part III Specific Conditions
- Chapter 15 Seizure Mimics
- Chapter 16 Types of Seizures
- Chapter 17 Epilepsy
- Chapter 18 Epilepsy Syndromes
- Chapter 19 Lesions and Encephalopathy
- Chapter 20 Status Epilepticus
- Chapter 21 Postcardiac Arrest
- Appendix: How to Write a Report
- Index
- References
Chapter 19 - Lesions and Encephalopathy
from Part III - Specific Conditions
Published online by Cambridge University Press: aN Invalid Date NaN
Book contents
- How to Read an EEG
- Reviews
- How to Read an EEG
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figure Contributions
- Foreword to the First Edition
- Preface
- How to Read This Book
- Part I Basics
- Part II Interpretation
- Part III Specific Conditions
- Chapter 15 Seizure Mimics
- Chapter 16 Types of Seizures
- Chapter 17 Epilepsy
- Chapter 18 Epilepsy Syndromes
- Chapter 19 Lesions and Encephalopathy
- Chapter 20 Status Epilepticus
- Chapter 21 Postcardiac Arrest
- Appendix: How to Write a Report
- Index
- References
Summary
This chapter focuses on EEG findings with lesions (focal cortical dysfunction) and encephalopathy (global cortical dysfunction). The EEG is not as sensitive or specific to detect lesions compared to neuroimaging but is useful in determining their functional consequences especially seizure risk. Focal monomorphic rhythmic slowing (e.g., lateralized rhythmic delta activity) has an increased risk of epileptic seizures like other epileptiform abnormalities including periodic discharges. The EEG is highly sensitive though not specific for the diagnosis of global cortical dysfunction (encephalopathy) and may be used to estimate its severity and identify repetitive patterns that may be associated with nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). Encephalopathy is characterized by slowing of the electrographic background, decrease in voltage, and loss of reactivity/variability. Occasionally, EEG findings may also be suggestive of uncommon etiologies such as Creutzfeldt– Jakob disease or anti-NMDAR encephalitis. [133 words/853 characters]
Keywords
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- Type
- Chapter
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- How to Read an EEG , pp. 284 - 303Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2025
References
Gaspard, N, Manganas, L, Rampal, N, Petroff, OA, Hirsch, LJ. Similarity of lateralized rhythmic delta activity to periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges in critically ill patients. JAMA Neurology. 2013 Oct 1;70(10):1288–95.Google ScholarPubMed
Kassab, MY, Farooq, MU, Diaz-Arrastia, R, Van Ness, PC. The clinical significance of EEG cyclic alternating pattern during coma. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology. 2007 Dec 1;24(6):425–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kaplan, PW, Genoud, D, Ho, TW, Jallon, P. Clinical correlates and prognosis in early spindle coma. Clinical Neurophysiology. 2000 Apr 1;111(4):584–90.10.1016/S1388-2457(99)00303-XCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kaplan, PW, Genoud, D, Ho, TW, Jallon, P. Etiology, neurologic correlations, and prognosis in alpha coma. Clinical Neurophysiology. 1999 Feb 1;110(2):205–13.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wieser, HG, Schindler, K, Zumsteg, D. EEG in Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. Clinical Neurophysiology. 2006 May 1;117(5):935–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gökçil, Z, Odabaşi, Z, Aksu, A, Vural, O, Yardim, M. Acute fulminant SSPE: clinical and EEG features. Clinical Electroencephalography. 1998 Jan; 29(1):43–8.10.1177/155005949802900112CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schmitt, SE, Pargeon, K, Frechette, ES, et al. Extreme delta brush: a unique EEG pattern in adults with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Neurology. 2012 Sep 11;79(11):1094–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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