title: Long-term video-EEG monitoring for paroxysmal events.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long term video-electroencephalography monitoring (VEM) has been widely used for the diagnosis, classification, and management of seizures. Few studies have systemically examined its safety issues and clinical utility. This prospective study investigates the general clinical application of long term VEM in the management of paroxysmal events.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study cohort consisted of patients admitted to the inpatient VEM unit at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Lin-Kou). Standard 19 channel scalp electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and simultaneous video images were recorded continuously for 2 full days. Patient characteristics, and clinical, video-EEG and safety data were obtained and analyzed. The diagnosis and management of paroxysmal events before VEM were compared with those after VEM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Habitual events were recorded in 54.3% of the 129 patients, and VEM had a yield rate of 76% (events recorded or newly recorded interictal discharges) indetermining the nature of the events. Eleven patients had seizure clusters, but there was no status epilepticus or electrode-related injury. After VEM, the diagnostic categories were changed in 41.1% of the patients, and 40.3% had revisions in management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long term VEM is a safe diagnostic tool providing a high diagnostic yield rate and directing adjustment of management for patients with paroxysmal events.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Section, Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ying-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mei-Ying
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: I-An
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yu-Tai
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chung-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Hsiang-Yao
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Siew-Na
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Peter Wu
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014741:Video Recording / Q000379:methods*