Nasopharyngeal leads and partial seizures

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Ravensong

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Many years ago, I had an EEG using nasopharyngeal leads. Except for the EEG I had right after my first TC, it has been the only one to capture a lot of abnormal activity.

Since I started having partial seizures pretty regularly again, I asked my neurologist about the EEG with NP leads after he recommend I have a standard EEG. He said they don't use these anymore. I am seeing differently.

Anybody know if the NP leads are still used?
 
I think the current thinking is that while nasopharyngeal electrodes can be valuable, specially placed scalp electrodes, newer arrays, electronic filters, and better critical reading of the EEG may be just as accurate and less invasive. In addition, I believe that nasopharyngeal leads require a doctor for their placement, whereas the other techniques mentioned above may require an EEG tech only.

Since you already have been diagnosed with epilepsy, is there a particular reason that your neuro wants you to have another EEG? Are you considering surgery?
 
I started having olfactory seizures a year or so ago and they have only increased in frequency. I'm really reluctant to have the EEG, because my neurologist is of the opinion that if you're having seizures, your EEG will be abnormal.
 
Your neuro should know that if your EEG test doesn't show any abnormal activity, it just means that there is no epileptic activity in your brain at the time the test is being done (or that the activity is too transient/deep) -- it doesn't prove that you don't have epileptic activity in your brain at other times.

Maybe you should switch neuros?
 
resaebiunne said:
Or better yet, find an epileptologist...
Click to expand...

I saw an epileptologist. Someone who was on the board of the EF. He was horrible. Lied to me, didn't listen. Never returned my calls. Refused to allow me to have a scan where I work (a world-renowned imaging company) and made me go to the hospital he was affiliated with - it was 4x the cost and took me a couple of years to pay off.

No thanks.
 
Nakamova said:
Your neuro should know that if your EEG test doesn't show any abnormal activity, it just means that there is no epileptic activity in your brain at the time the test is being done (or that the activity is too transient/deep) -- it doesn't prove that you don't have epileptic activity in your brain at other times.

Maybe you should switch neuros?
Click to expand...

Yeah, he should but he doesn't.

I have been through a bunch of neuros. I'm just tired of starting over.

Thanks anyway.
 
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