Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
The Penn Epilepsy Center features a modern four-bed
unit with video electroencephalography
(video EEG) for the evaluation of individuals
with difficult-to-manage epilepsy who are candidates
for surgery and for differential diagnosis of
"spells". Specialists from neurology,
neurosurgery, neuropsychology and psychiatry combine
their expertise to evaluate each patient.
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The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania |
Evaluation begins with
long-term monitoring, using EEG and video to capture
the electrical activity and symptoms that occur
during a seizure. Depending on the type of surgery
being considered, a number of other diagnostic
tests may be required, such as single
photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
and positron
emission tomography (PET)
scans for evaluation of the metabolism and blood
flow to the area suspected of originating the
seizures. In addition, intracranial monitoring
with electrodes implanted in the brain is sometimes
necessary for a definitive evaluation prior to
surgery.
Sometimes individuals experience events that
may or may not be epileptic seizures. Capturing
these events with video and EEG monitoring often
points to the correct diagnosis and correct therapy.
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Video/EEG
