Unusual EEG Artifact in Patients with DBS.

Abstract

Use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) technology has expanded over the past decade and is currently employed for treatment of various movement disorders such as Parkinson disease, tremors, dystonia, and epilepsy. A high frequency artifact has been well described on electroencephalograms (EEGs) of patients with DBS and is considered a result of the electrical nature of the stimulation. We present 3 cases of an unusually slow frequency and rhythmic artifact in DBS patients. This unfamiliar artifact could be mistaken for an ictal pattern, especially in patients with altered sensorium. Recognition of this novel artifact will minimize misinterpretation and potential unnecessary treatment.