KUMJ | VOL. 2 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 5 | JAN-MAR, 2004
A Study of the First 350 Cases Referred for EEG in Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital
Shrestha R, Pradhan SN, Sharma SC, Shakya KN, Karki DB, Rana BBS, Joshi LN
Abstract: Electroencephalography or EEG is a neurological test that uses an electronic monitoring device to measure and
record electrical activity in the brain.
Epilepsy is defined as a recurrent tendency to unprovoked seizure.
About 0.5% to 2% of the population has epilepsy.
Material and Methods
This is a retrospective study of the first 350 odd cases referred for EEG at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching
Hospital, Kathmandu during period November 2002- September 2002 (Mangsir 2058- Bhadra 2059).
Results
Most patients fall in the age group of 11-20 years and more than 50% referred cases fall in the prime of life, i.e., 11-
30 years. 16% of patients with the history of seizure did not use any AED and 32 % who though had no history of
seizures were actually using AED.
It is seen that out of 149 reported normal, 57 (38%) had history of seizure; but out of 208 reported abnormal in EEG
only 92 (42%) had history of seizure.
Discussion
EEG is not a very sensitive or a specific tool; however, in our study it was seen to be more sensitive than specific. It
is till very useful in classifying seizure types, in locating epileptic focus prior to surgery or in some confusing
situation when movement disorder may simulate seizure disorder or vice versa.
Conclusion
Although EEG is not a very sensitive or specific investigation, it is more sensitive than specific.
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