[The role of ambulatory electroencephalogram monitoring: experience and results in 264 records].
BACKGROUND
Ambulatory electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring allows for long-term, mobile electroencephalographic recordings of patients. This study aims to describe and analyze the results obtained with ambulatory EEG in our clinical practice.


METHODS
We have analyzed the results of 264 ambulatory EEG records, grouped according to the reason for the request: a) group 1: diagnostic evaluation of episodes of epileptic nature; b) group 2: diagnostic evaluation of paroxysmal episodes, and c) group 3: evaluation of the risk of relapse during anti-seizure treatment withdrawal in certain epileptic patients.


RESULTS
a) Group 1 (n=137): normal results were found in 54 records (39.4%). There was generalized epileptic activity in 20 (14.6%) of them (5 with ictal activity) and focal epileptic activity was detected in 57 cases (42%) (8 with ictal activity). No EEG diagnosis could be reached in 6 (4%) recordings due to the presence of artefacts; b) group 2 (n=99): in 47 records (47.5 %), there were no episodes and the Holter-EEG was normal. There was a clinically documented episode without anomalies during Holter-EEG registration in 14 cases (14.2%). In 29 records (29.3%), focal epileptic activity was recorded (ictal 4) and generalized epileptic activity (ictal in 1) was recorded in 4 patients (4%). No EEG diagnosis could be reached in 5 cases (5%), and c) group 3 (n=28): the study was normal in 15 cases (53.6%) and showed focal interictal epileptic activity in 8 (28.6 %) and generalized interictal epileptic activity in 5 of them (17.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that the ambulatory EEG recordings in correctly selected cases can provide important additional information regarding global assessment of patients with epilepsy.
González de la Aleja
J
J
Sección de Epilepsia, Hospital Universitario Doce de Octubre, Madrid. jesus_goal@yahoo.es
Saiz Díaz
R A
RA
Martín García
H
H
Juntas
R
R
Pérez-Martínez
D
D
de la Peña
P
P
D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D011996:Records; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis*