State-of-the-Art Tests Provide Quick, Accurate Diagnosis of Seizure Disorders

At University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital’s Epilepsy Center, accurate diagnosis is achieved through comprehensive assessments and state-of-the-art tests. This includes use of our inpatient pediatric electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring unit, and high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and SPECT imaging technologies to accurately diagnose new onset seizures, spells that mimic seizures and epileptic disorders due to many different causes.

These noninvasive, pain-free tests help pinpoint the origin of seizures in the brain through advanced mapping techniques.

The various tests are always offered with appropriate sedation; in addition, our team can employ the pediatric sedation unit when evaluating children with behavioral problems or developmental delays, which can make the evaluation process easier and less stressful for both patients and their families.

Video EEG Monitoring For Precise Diagnosis

A video EEG evaluation may be recommended for some patients, including select patients who may be candidates for surgery. The inpatient video EEG is a longer and continuous study of the patient’s electrical brainwave activity, along with a video recording of body movements and behavior.

Specialized medical staff involved in the video EEG evaluation includes epileptologists, epilepsy nurses, EEG technologists and child life specialists. The team conducts the test in a special hospital setting using state-of-the-art equipment.

This test, which typically involves a three night stay at the pediatric video EEG monitoring unit, can help locate the seizure trigger point in the brain and helps our experts decide on the proper course of treatment.