ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

The definition and ordering criteria of emergent EEG (eEEG) has not been clearly defined yet. Prevalent opinion is that EEGs performed and reported within 1 hour can be analyzed as eEEG. Due to laboratory conditions and hospital policies ali EEGs except planned and given appointment before can be an acceptable definition of eEEG.

METHODS:

Annual Emergent EEG rate of different centers was 4-10% in ali EEGs. Ordering indications are status epilepticus (convulsive/nonconvulsive), coma, encephalitis and delirium respectively. Electroencephalograhy has an important place in differential diagnosis of postictal delayed confusion.

RESULTS:

Some features of EEG are very specific in hepatic encephalopathy and herpes encephalitis and may help in supporting the diagnosis. The prognostic usefulness of eEEG may not be very valuable but good and bad prognostic features can be mentioned.

CONCLUSION:

This article discusses the requesting indications and clinical importance of reports of eEEG.