Continuous Video / E.E.G. Monitoring:-
The purpose of continuous video/E.E.G. monitoring is to observe your seizures via a video camera and at the same time record your brain cell activity through the E.E.G. Continuous E.E.G. is generally painless and is similar to routine E.E.G. only the electrodes stay on your head for the time you are being monitored. During monitoring you will be required to stay in the monitoring room 24 hours a day. It may be necessary to reduce your antiepileptic drug dose(s) before and during admission to ensure that a seizure is observed. Seizures are recorded via a video camera mounted on the wall of the room.
During a complex partial seizure you will be given and injection into a blood vessel in your hand or arm. The solution given is ceretec, which is used to locate the area of the brain that is the focus for seizure activity. Following the injection you will be taken to the Nuclear Medicine Department for a special type of C.T. scan called a S.P.E.C.T. When the results of this scan are known you will be told whether surgery is likely to proceed. Sometimes more than one scan is needed and even then may not give the information the doctors are seeking.
During this admission you will be visited regularly by your Neurologist and other Medical Staff of the epilepsy program. Other personnel involved in the epilepsy program who will see you will be a Psychiatrist, Neuropsychologist and a Social Worker. The Psychiatrist will ensure that you are fully prepared for brain surgery and he/she will tell you what reactions you can expect after surgery.
The Neuropsychologist will assess your memory, thinking and personality, if this has not already been done. As you may be aware, epilepsy may affect memory and to what extent yours may be affected will be assessed. A Social Worker will make contact with you to establish if you need any assistance with financial matters, accommodation, travel, family matters or counselling. The Epilepsy Nurse will be available to assist you with all aspects of the surgical preparation to ensure that you are fully aware of what is happening to you.