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The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Status Epilepticus | Research

The diagnostic yield of a 2-h versus a 30-min electroencephalogram for patients with altered mental status in neurological intensive care unit

Authors: Nesma Mounir, Ehab Shaker Belal, Mahmoud Fathi Abozeina, Aliaa Ali Tawfeek

Published in: The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

The continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) monitoring is recommended for critical ill patients with altered mental status, The cEEG detects seizure activity and nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) more efficiently than routine electroencephalogram (rEEG). Yet, cEEG is not widely available in many neurological intensive care units (NICU) in limited resource countries. Ideal study duration, and whether cEEG is useful and cost-effective in terms of patient outcome compared to (rEEG), is still questions under research. The main objective in our study was the relative diagnostic yield of the 2 h, prolonged EEG recording, compared to the 30-min rEEG recording in the NICU.

Results

There was no significant diagnostic yield for the 2-h electroencephalogram (EEG) over the 30-min EEG for patient with altered mental status in the NICU. Being with altered mental state in an NICU carries a poor outcome, we found that death occurred in 68.9% of patients. Acute ischemic stroke is the most common cause of altered mental status in NICU by about 53.3% of patients. Less than half of the patients (42.2%) were receiving anti-seizure medications (ASM).

Conclusions

As long as the cEEG is not available in the NICU, the 30-min EEG has a good diagnostic yield and it is almost equivalent to the prolonged 2-h EEG, and if the EEG is recommended for a longer duration, we recommend a long-term EEG more than 2 h.

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Title: The diagnostic yield of a 2-h versus a 30-min electroencephalogram for patients with altered mental status in neurological intensive care unit
Authors: Nesma Mounir
Ehab Shaker Belal
Mahmoud Fathi Abozeina
Aliaa Ali Tawfeek
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Status Epilepticus
Published in: The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1687-8329
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-024-00809-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The diagnostic yield of a 2-h versus a 30-min electroencephalogram for patients with altered mental status in neurological intensive care unit

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

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