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Long-term EEG and video monitoring is a valuable technique in the evaluation and treatment of children with epilepsy. At Children's, more than 375 children each year benefit from Long-Term Monitoring (LTM). LTM consists of continuously monitoring the EEG and the behavioral activity (using video technology) of the child. LTM helps to answer two vital questions:
Is the episode epilepsy or some other disorder?
If the child is experiencing epilepsy, where in the brain is the source of the seizure activity?
Phase 1 monitoring consists of long-term EEG and video observations.
Phase 2: If physicians determine that the child has epilepsy, but they can't pinpoint the area(s) where the seizures originate, they may recommend invasive monitoring. In this procedure, a neurosurgeon removes a section of skull and places plastic strips with a series of monitoring electrodes directly on the surface of the brain. The skull is closed again and the output of the electrodes is recorded and analyzed in depth. Because this method can achieve much higher resolution, about half of surgery candidates may undergo invasive monitoring.
When the location of seizure activity is determined, then epilepsy surgery can be considered.
Six LTM beds are located on 9-North, the 24-bed neurology/neurosurgery specialty unit, caring for more than 300 patients with epilepsy each year. On this family-centered unit, the nurses are specialized in the area of seizures and other disorders of the nervous system. Patient care teams are directed by epileptologists and supported by experienced EEG technicians who monitor the EEG and interact with patients during seizures.
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