Analysis of the Continuous Monitored Electroencephalogram Patterns in Intensive Care Unit

The aim of this study was to detect the status of epilepticus and seizure based on the initial patterns observed in the first 30 minutes of continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) monitoring. An cEEG was recorded digitally using electrodes applied according to the International 10∼20 System. The EEG data were reviewed from January 2014 to December 2015. The baselines of the EEG patterns were characterized by lateralized periodic discharges, generalized periodic discharges, burst suppression, focal epileptiform, asymmetric background, generalized slowing, and generalized periodic discharges with a triphagic wave. The etiology was classified into five categories. The subjects of this study were 128 patients (age: 56.9±17.5 years, male:female, 74:54). The mean cEEG monitoring duration was 5.5±5.1 (min:max, 1:33) days. The EEG pattern categories included lateralized periodic discharges (N=7), generalized periodic discharges (N=10), burst suppression (N=6), focal epileptiform (N=19), asymmetric background (N=24), generalized slowing (N=51), and generalized periodic discharges with a triphagic wave (N=11). The etiological classifications of the patients with status epilepticus were remote symptomatic (N=4), remote symptomatic with acute precipitant (N=9), acute symptomatic (N=6), progressive encephalopathy (N=2), and febrile seizure (N=1). cEEG monitoring was found to be useful for the diagnosis of non-convulsive epileptic seizures or status epilepticus. The seizure was confirmed by the EEG pattern.