Examination for Epilepsy : Laboratory, EEG, Radiological and Neuroimaging

Examination for Epilepsy

Laboratory Exmination

Routine blood tests, peripheral blood, and others as indicated, for example blood glucose, electrolytes. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid (if necessary) to determine the pressure, color, clarity, bleeding, cell number, cell count, protein content, sugar NaCl and other checks on the indication.


EEG Examination

EEG examination is used to classify the type of seizure, time attack. EEG is the examination of brain waves to examine the wave abnormalities. This examination is not recommended to be done on the new febrile seizures occur once without deficit (disorder) neurological. There are no studies that show that the EEG is done when seizures or fever immediately after or a month later will be able to predict the onset of seizures without fever in the future. Although the picture can be obtained of abnormal wave after febrile seizures, the picture is not predictive of the risk of recurrence of febrile seizures or epilepsy risk.

EEG examination was very useful for the diagnosis of epilepsy. There are abnormalities in the form of epileptiform discharges or epileptiform activity), for example; spike sharp wave, spike and wave and so on. EEG recordings can determine the focus and the type of epilepsy is focal, multifocal, cortical or subcortical and so on. Should be done periodically (approximately 8-12% of patients with epilepsy have a normal EEG recording).


Radiological Examination
  • X-ray of the skull to determine abnormalities of the skull, bone destruction, abnormal intracranial calcification, such as widening ICT exaltation sign sutures, erosion of the sella turcica and so on.
  • Pneumoencephalography and ventriculography to look at the picture of the ventricles, cisterns, sub arachnoid cavity and brain imaging.
  • Arteriography to determine the blood vessels in the brain: cerebral vascular anomalies, blockage, neoplasms / hematome / abscess.


Neuroimaging

1. CT Scan
Used to detect lesions in the brain, focal abnormal, cerebrovascular abnormalities, cerebral degenerative disorders. Is the first brain imaging tests are recommended for many children with early seizures. This illustration technique sensitive enough for many purposes. The imaging technique is more sensitive than X-ray, following the high significance of the structure of bone and soft tissue, clear images of organs such as brain, muscle, joint structures, veins and arteries.
2. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) heads
Used to see whether there is a focal neuropathy. MRI is preferred because it can detect small lesions, such as small lesions, vascular malformations, or scar tissue in the lobe tempralis. An overview of the MRI can be used for preparation for surgery. Both of these checks is not recommended in the new febrile seizures occur for the first time.