مهندسی پزشکی

1.      The discs are then connected to the EEG machine by wires.

2.      The recording will be taken over 1½ hours while your child sits on your lap or lies on the bed, relaxing and trying to sleep. They will be asked to follow commands such as “open/ close your eyes”, or perform some of the following ‘activation techniques’ as they may produce changes in the brain wave activity:

•                    Deep breathing – Your child will be asked to breathe deeply                          for 3 minutes. To help them do this they may be asked to                               blow a windmill. This can cause a light - headed feeling or                         tingling of the lips or fingers but this is normal and will                      resolve by itself afterwards.

•                    Photic Stimulation – Your child will be asked to look at a                            bright flashing light with their eyes open and closed, for                      a few seconds at a time. This is an important part of the test                           for people who may have seizures or black-outs caused by                        flashing lights. We will be looking at the EEG at all times and                   will stop the light immediately if they appear sensitive. This is                              done under very controlled conditions.

What does the test feel like?

Your child will feel a cold rubbing sensation on their scalp when the discs are being applied, but there are no sensations during the recording. No needles are involved.

After the test

After the test the discs will be removed with warm water. Your child’s hair may be sticky and damp and some of the paste may be left in it afterwards; this will wash out and you will probably need to wash their hair after the test.

If your child has been sleep-deprived they will probably still feel sleepy after the test.

When will I get the results?

You won’t get the results straight after the test as the EEG has to be analysed. A full report will be sent to the doctor who referred your child for the test after about 2 – 3 weeks and they will discuss this with you at your next outpatient appointment.

Contact details

You will be able to ask any questions or tell us any concerns before the test is carried out but if you would like to contact us before your appointment please call:

Neurophysiology

0121 507 4319

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Further information

For more information about our hospitals and services please see our website www.swbh. nhs.uk or follow us on Twitter @SWBHnhs.

Sources used for the information in this leaflet

•        National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, CG137 ‘The epilepsies: the diagnosis and management of the epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care’, January 2012

•        Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, ‘EEG in the diagnosis, classification and management of patients with epilepsy’, June 2005