Abstracts

To evaluate the efficacy of an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Compatible EEG recording system in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Comparison of EEG recorded seizure data in 50 Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) patients with MRI compatible electroencephalogram (EEG) recording electrodes and 50 EMU patients without MRI compatible EEG recording electrodes. Only patients who underwent MRI after Epilepsy Unit EEG technologist scheduled work hours met criteria. 17/50 (34%) patients with MRI compatible recording electrodes had recorded clinical seizures, larval seizures or non-epileptic seizures, 9/17 (53%) had first recorded event. Of the 33/50 (66%) that did not have recorded seizures, 28/33 (85%) had no previous seizures recorded during EMU stay, 5/33 (15%) had previous seizures recorded. 13/50 (26%) had new information recorded apart from seizures. 19/50 (38%) patients without MRI compatible recording electrodes had seizures not recorded during MRI time frame, 5/19 (26%) had their first recorded event not recorded. 31/50 had no seizures missed, 17/31 (55%) had no previous events recorded and 14/31 (45%) previous events recorded. Only 1 patient (2%) had first and only seizure during EMU stay with EEG electrodes off for MRI scanning. The average length of stay for patients with MRI compatible recording electrodes was 9 days and patients without MRI compatible electrodes was 11 days. MRI compatible recording electrodes allow an artefact-free recording in a 1.5 T MR scanner with average SAR less than or equal to 1.6 W/Kg. MRI compatible recording electrodes reduced the average length of stay, reduced patient[apos]s anxiety if electrodes to be removed for duration of time for MRI while on reduced anti-epileptic medications and captured 34% of clinical seizures, larval seizures or non-epileptic seizures which previously would have not been recorded. No seizures were missed on patients with MRI compatible recording electrodes and 26% of patients with MRI compatible recording electrodes had new data recorded during the MRI time frame. Patients requiring electrodes to be removed for MRI purposes with collodion remover/acetone and their reapplication immediately afterwards can result in painful abrasions of the scalp and/or infection.