The Clinical Relevance of EEG Interpretation

Abstract

There is need nowadays to re-emphasize the capabilities of electroencephalography: a method representing the extremely important function/dysfunction-orientation in neurological thinking and practice. Valuable and relevant messages to the clinician naturally require solid EEG training and the resulting expertise. The idea that valuable EEG information is limited to the field of epileptology is erroneous. A plethora of clinically relevant messages can be derived from the EEG in nonepileptic conditions and, above all, in metabolic (and so called “mixed”) encephalopathies where neuroimaging has almost nothing to offer. The discussion of EEG and epileptology only skirts pediatric conditions (and most of the epileptic syndromes). It is shown that EEG reading in epileptology is a lot more than simply “hunting spikes.” A strong plea is being made against the presently fashionable overuse of the term “non-convulsive status epilepticus.” Continuing neglect of functional/dysfunctional orientation can seriously endanger the entire field of Neurology.