%0 Journal Article
%T The new wave: time to bring EEG to the emergency department
%A Samah G Abdel Baki
%A Ahmet Omurtag
%A Andr¨¦ A Fenton
%A Shahriar Zehtabchi
%J International Journal of Emergency Medicine
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1865-1380-4-36
%X Abundant literature has been accumulated during the last decade to characterize a well-defined, routine use of EEG in emergency departments (EDs) [1]. Routine use of EEGs in acute settings may advance patient care in certain neurological scenarios such as acute alteration of mental status (AMS) and severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) [2-5]. In such clinical scenarios, access to cerebral function is often hindered by an unrevealing bedside physical exam in obtunded or deeply sedated subjects [6,7]. Since the initial call by Jordan (1995) [8] for a major monitoring system able to continuously evaluate cerebral functions in critically ill patients, several studies have aimed to characterize the role of the EEG in various clinical contexts, including the emergency department (ED). Taking in all the recent calls for the need for an emergency EEG system (eEEG), this article will propose a system compatible with ED use, and capable of enhancing the diagnosis and management of various neurological emergencies. First, we will briefly review the potential clinical impact of EEG availability in the ED by introducing data on acute entities commonly encountered in emergency settings with findings requiring the need for eEEG accessibility. Second, we will further expound on the notion of routine eEEG availability by unfolding the components of our proposed eEEG system. Lastly, we conclude by emphasizing the impact of eEEG on patient care and outcome.Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) was shown to occur in more than a third of patients with unexplained AMS [1]. NCSE may present a diagnostic challenge when an EEG is unavailable in the ED, which is often the case [9]. The lack of overt, tonic-clonic activity and the difficulties in identifying behavioral changes from baseline necessitate the presence of an EEG for confirming seizure activity. Early and recent studies done in the ED and the intensive care unit (ICU) have reported significant delays in the diagnosis of NCSE, es
%U http://www.intjem.com/content/4/1/36