Use of short term video EEG in the diagnosis of attack disorders.

BACKGROUND Distinguishing epileptic from psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) often requires video electroencephalography (EEG) recording. Inpatient recording is a limited resource; some evidence suggests that short term video EEG (SVEEG) is useful, but its role in practice has yet to be evaluated. OBJECTIVE To assess the usefulness of SVEEG in the diagnosis of attack disorders. METHODS One hundred and forty three SVEEG recordings were performed during an 18 month period. RESULTS A diagnostic event was recorded in 72 of 143 (50.3%): PNES (n = 51), epilepsy (n = 7), or other attacks, such as movement disorders (n = 14). CONCLUSIONS SVEEG is a robust and useful diagnostic technique, which complements existing resources.