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Questions and Answers
What should be included in the description of an EEG report?
What should be included in the description of an EEG report?
Which measurement units should be preferred for frequency in EEG reports?
Which measurement units should be preferred for frequency in EEG reports?
When describing the dominant activity in an EEG, which aspect should not be included?
When describing the dominant activity in an EEG, which aspect should not be included?
What is the recommended method for estimating amplitude in an EEG report?
What is the recommended method for estimating amplitude in an EEG report?
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In cases where clear dominant frequencies are absent, what should be included in the report?
In cases where clear dominant frequencies are absent, what should be included in the report?
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What is an unnecessary term to define in an EEG report?
What is an unnecessary term to define in an EEG report?
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What is the primary purpose of the guidelines provided by the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society for writing EEG reports?
What is the primary purpose of the guidelines provided by the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society for writing EEG reports?
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How should responses to eye opening and closing be described in an EEG report?
How should responses to eye opening and closing be described in an EEG report?
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What aspect of EEG background activity should be reported first?
What aspect of EEG background activity should be reported first?
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Which section of the EEG report is meant to include the patient's state of consciousness and any medications administered?
Which section of the EEG report is meant to include the patient's state of consciousness and any medications administered?
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In cases of specialized EEG recordings, what should be done if the standard recommended technique is used?
In cases of specialized EEG recordings, what should be done if the standard recommended technique is used?
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What should be included in the EEG report to avoid confusion about the patient?
What should be included in the EEG report to avoid confusion about the patient?
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Which of the following elements is NOT one of the three principal parts of an EEG report?
Which of the following elements is NOT one of the three principal parts of an EEG report?
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What should the report include regarding medications that influence the EEG?
What should the report include regarding medications that influence the EEG?
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What should be done first when describing marked inter-hemispheric asymmetry?
What should be done first when describing marked inter-hemispheric asymmetry?
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How should quantity of abnormal patterns be expressed in clinical EEG interpretation?
How should quantity of abnormal patterns be expressed in clinical EEG interpretation?
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When describing abnormal activity, which aspect is not necessary to include?
When describing abnormal activity, which aspect is not necessary to include?
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Which term is used to define the activity that is present in a normal EEG background?
Which term is used to define the activity that is present in a normal EEG background?
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Why should phrases like 'No focal abnormality' be included in the impression?
Why should phrases like 'No focal abnormality' be included in the impression?
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What reason should a clinician have for including detailed descriptions in an EEG report?
What reason should a clinician have for including detailed descriptions in an EEG report?
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What does the description of activation procedures in an EEG include?
What does the description of activation procedures in an EEG include?
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What is the primary purpose of the impression in an EEG report?
What is the primary purpose of the impression in an EEG report?
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What should be assessed regarding episodic abnormal activity?
What should be assessed regarding episodic abnormal activity?
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Which of the following is essential when describing photic stimulation procedures?
Which of the following is essential when describing photic stimulation procedures?
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In grading abnormalities in EEG reports, what should the focus be?
In grading abnormalities in EEG reports, what should the focus be?
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Which characteristics should NOT be described in the context of normal EEG features?
Which characteristics should NOT be described in the context of normal EEG features?
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What is an essential component of the clinical correlation in an EEG report?
What is an essential component of the clinical correlation in an EEG report?
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What should be done if previous EEGs are available for comparison?
What should be done if previous EEGs are available for comparison?
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When assessing the effects of hyperventilation, what is crucial to document?
When assessing the effects of hyperventilation, what is crucial to document?
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What timing characteristics should be included when abnormal patterns are described?
What timing characteristics should be included when abnormal patterns are described?
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Study Notes
EEG Reporting Guidelines
- These guidelines are not rigid rules but a general guide for reporting EEGs.
- Guidelines apply to standard EEG recordings, not specialized procedures.
- For specialized procedures (e.g., neonatal records, electrocerebral silence), detailed technical descriptions are needed.
- If the technique used is the one recommended in other ACNS guidelines, a simple statement referencing those guidelines is sufficient.
- The printed form should include minimal patient information, which can be copied from the Basic Data Sheet.
- The report should include the patient’s name and EEG identification number.
EEG Report Structure
- The report consists of three main sections: Introduction, Description, and Interpretation.
- The Introduction should include information about patient preparation, medication, and state of consciousness at the onset of the recording.
- Any medication that could influence the EEG should be included.
- If the number of electrodes is not the standard 21, or if other physiologic parameters are monitored, this should be mentioned.
- The total recording time should be reported if it deviates significantly from the ACNS recommendations.
Describing the EEG
- The Description section should objectively present all characteristics of the record, both normal and abnormal.
- The description should be comprehensive enough for another electroencephalographer to determine the normality or degree of abnormality of the record without viewing the EEG.
- The Description should begin with the background activity, including dominant frequency, quantity, location, amplitude, symmetry, and rhythmicity.
- Use Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second for frequency.
- Amplitude should be determined using adjacent scalp electrodes placed according to the 10-20 System.
- It’s desirable to estimate the mean amplitude in microvolts.
- Enumerate non-dominant activities with their frequency, quantity, amplitude, location, symmetry, and rhythmicity.
- Describe the response to opening and closing eyes and movements of the extremities, noting symmetry, completeness, and duration.
- If no dominant frequency is present (e.g., in abnormal, infant, or sleep recordings), describe all different activities.
- When there’s marked inter-hemispheric asymmetry, describe each hemisphere separately.
- Following the background activity description, describe abnormalities that don’t form part of the background activity.
- Describe the type, distribution, topography, symmetry, synchrony, amplitude, timing, and quantity of abnormal patterns.
- Quantity should be expressed subjectively.
- For episodic abnormalities, describe periodicity, rhythmicity, and duration.
- In the activation procedures section, state the quality of hyperventilation and sleep, and the type and range of frequencies used for photic stimulation.
- Describe the effects of hyperventilation and photic stimulation, including both normal and abnormal responses.
- If these procedures are not done, state the reason.
- Do not include the absence of certain characteristics in the description unless it's the lack of normal features (e.g., low-voltage fast frequencies, sleep spindles).
- Only mention artifacts when they are questionable and could represent cerebral activity, when they are unusual or excessive, or when they provide valuable diagnostic information.
Interpretation
- The Impression section is the interpreter's subjective statement about the normality or abnormality of the record.
- The Impression is written primarily for the referring clinician and should be concise.
- When the record is considered abnormal, grade the abnormality to facilitate comparison between successive records.
- Briefly list the reasons for the conclusion, focusing on the two or three most characteristic abnormalities.
- If previous EEGs are available, make a comparison with previous tracings.
- The Clinical Correlation section should explain how the EEG findings fit (or don't fit) the total clinical picture.
- If abnormalities are present but could be due to medication or other interventions, state this.
- The electroencephalographer should not suggest changes in medication or other clinical approaches.
- The Clinical Correlation section can include recommendations for further EEGs with different activation procedures.
- A normal record generally doesn't require further explanation.
- If clinical information suggests a serious question between conditions (e.g., hysteria and epilepsy), include a clarifying statement.
- Digital recording, reporting, and transmission allow incorporating brief samples of the actual recording, so including examples of abnormalities is desirable.
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Description
Explore the essential guidelines for reporting EEG recordings in this quiz. Understand the report structure, including key sections like Introduction, Description, and Interpretation, and learn about the relevant patient information needed. Perfect for professionals handling EEG data.
