Diagnostic Utility of Routine EEG Study in Identifying Seizure as the Etiology of the Index Event in Patients Referred With a Diagnosis of Migraine and Not Otherwise Specified Headache Disorders

Abstract

The study investigated the diagnostic utility of a routine electroencephalogram (EEG) to help identify seizure as the underlying etiology of the index event in patients referred with a diagnosis of migraine and not otherwise specified (NOS) headache disorders. A total of 50 patients yielded 50 routine EEGs (headache NOS, n = 32; migraine n = 18). Overall, there were 37 (74%) normal EEGs and 13 (26%) abnormal. Routine EEGs are mostly normal in young patients (18-40 years of age) who are referred to our laboratory with a diagnosis of headache NOS or migraine.