CT, EEG Critical in Diagnosis After Seizure
New guidelines detailing use of both CT and EEG in patients who present to clinicians after experiencing a seizure for the first time were described by the American Academy of Neurology in the academy’s journal Neurology. This data is useful in determining diagnosis as well as treatment planning.
The newly published guidelines were based on a systematic review of published studies which evaluated diagnostic tools used in the assessment of patients who had a seizure by the Academy’s Quality Standards Subcommittee. Articles were classified according to the level of evidence.
Use of electroencephalogram (EEG) and CT provides neurologists with information as to the nature and extent of brain abnormalities. In addition, this data can further assess factors causing the seizure and if patients are likely to have future seizures.
EEG is useful in the detection of anomalies associated with epilepsy, in particular, among almost 25 percent of patients. Moreover, this modality can reliably predict the likelihood of seizures in the future.
Imaging studies with either CT or MRI found structural abnormalities among ten percent of patients who were undergoing assessment following an initial seizure. Information gleaned from those studies can indicate diagnoses such as infection, tumor, stroke, or structural lesions.
Other recommendations recently described by the American Academy of Neurology were posted on Hospital Buyer. Those called for the use of CT immediately upon presentation of a patient who has had a seizure.
November 26, 2007 Related topics: Partnerships & Consortia, Diagnostic, Psychiatry & Neurology, Emergency