Electroencephalography (EEG)

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the recording of normal and abnormal electrical activity originating from brain cells, along the scalp. The electrodes are applied to the scalp with a conductor called paste. Difference of electrical signals between these two electrodes is recorded on a moving paper by enlarging the data. During this procedure, the person is not exposed to any electrical flow; however the electrical activities of the brain are printed out on a paper.

While EGG abnormality may not be shown on each patient having seizure, EEG abnormality may be observed in patients who do not have seizure or epilepsy. Among the seizures in patients having seizure or epilepsy, average of 70% abnormality may be found in EEGs.

Considerations before EEG test

For your child's health, it is important for you to read all considerations in order for your child to go through the EEG test comfortably and for us to take the advantage of it.

Please do take time to read all information given.

EEG preparation...

It is NOT NECESSARY for your child to fast before the EEG test. Make sure the child's hair is washed as it has an important role on preventing the artifact formation. Generally, the child should continue taking antiepileptic medications before the test. However, sometimes it may be suggested not to use the antiepileptic medications before the test. Only your physician can make the decision about what to do, the only authorized person that you should consult is your physician who requested the test. It may be required to keep your child sleepless before EEG test. Generally, it is requested that your child sleep the half of his/her normal sleep duration. For example, if your child goes to bed at 20:00 and wakes up at 07:00, it means the child sleeps for 11 hours. You are asked to make your child sleep at the same hour but to awaken the child after the half of his/her sleep duration (5.5 hours) and to keep child awake until the test in the morning.

Sleeping and wakefulness recordings are tried to be done during EEG, however it does not mean that EGG will not be effective if the child does not sleep. The necessary thing is that child is kept awake for a sufficient time.

You should go to the EEG test room at 08:30 in the morning of the appointment day with your approved EEG test document.

All you need to know and do before entering the EEG test room

You should be quite, as there may be a sleeping child in the room. As the EEG rooms are separated from each other with a folding screen, noises can easily be heard from the next room. Therefore, a couple of sleeping or awake children are taken into the room at the same time. For that reason, in the meantime there may be changes in the appointment queue and thus we expect your understanding.

EEG test is a comfortable examination that provides an opportunity to rest for 15-30 minutes. However, this period may take longer if you should get your child to sleep .In order to shorten this period and to enable the observation of abnormalities easily; keeping children awake for the half of their normal sleep durations is a method used. The children who cannot be made sleep despite these methods are given certain medications that do not affect the brain waves but can make them sleep. These medications will be provided by our EEG technicians and the dose of medication will be determined in accordance with the age/weight of the child.

In EEG test room...

EEG test will take approximately 15-30 MINUTES. In other words, your child needs to lie on the bed perfectly still for about 15-30 minutes for the EEG test by which there is no risk of being harmed or hurt. Please don't get worried, awake and easy communicating children will be instructed by the technician during the test. One person may enter the EEG room with the patient should remain at a certain place and not walk around. The child can breathe easily during the test but if needed he / she may be requested to hyperventilate. This lasts 3-5 minutes the most. Unless otherwise indicated, eyes will be kept closed. A repetitive light stimulant is emitted from a source positioned 25-30 cm across the eyes which is called photic stimulation. These repetitive stimuli of variable frequency is applied for 5-10 seconds in order to determine whether the child has light-sensitive epilepsy. By following the instructions of the technician eyes either will be opened or closed.

Child can swallow. In certain circumstances, patient would need to receive medications such as benzodiazepine, pyridoxine, and etc. through intravascular line. Besides, the procedure takes 25-30 minutes when children do not need to sleep.

The pastes (conductors) used to stick the electrodes will remain on child's hair but these either be removed with a paper towel or can stay until going home. Unfortunately, washing procedure cannot be performed at hospital because of the inadequate conditions.

How is the daily appointment schedule organized?

EEG test is carried out IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPOINTMENT QUEUE. However, younger children have the priority. As being perfectly still during the test is difficult for children younger than 3-4 years, they should be made sleep with or without medication in order to be tested. The children who wake up and move during the test should be taken out of the EEG room and be waited until they fall asleep again. Therefore, THE SLEEPING CHILDREN HAVE THE PRIORITY TO BE TESTED. Furthermore, sometimes INPATIENTS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY HAVE PRIORITY TO BE TESTED. As a general rule, outpatients are called in the morning hours and inpatients that are followed-up are called in the afternoon hours for EEG, however there may be exceptions.

When will you receive your EEG result?

You can receive your EEG result from Secretariat of Pediatric Neurology in the afternoon (starting from 16:00) on the following working day after the test.

Your compliance and assistance during the EEG test are very important for your health to get better. Thank you for your collaboration. Get well soon!