University Teaching Trust Sleep deprived video electroencephalogram (EEG) Barnes Building Neurophysiology 0161 206 2068 G17030804W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, All Rights Reserved 2017. Document for issue as handout. Unique Identifier: NOE 14 (17). Review date: April 2019.
Introduction An EEG is a recording of the everyday electrical activity produced by your brain. The test will be performed after you have been deprived of a night s sleep. It is important that you stay up as late as possible the night before and have no more than 3 hours sleep. Get up as early as possible in the morning but refrain from drinking coffee, tea, fizzy drinks etc. (caffeine) from 6pm the night before the test. With your permission, you will be videoed with a special camcorder so that if you experience some of the symptoms or events for which you have been referred, the consultant in Neurophysiology will be able to have a look at them and compare what is happening to your body, with what is happening to the activity produced by your brain. Why do a sleep deprived video EEG? A Sleep Deprived Video EEG when combined with a history, examination and scan results may help to diagnose a wide range of neurological conditions. Your referring consultant will be able to explain why it is important for you to have this test. How is a sleep deprived video EEG performed? 23 small electrodes are placed on your head and one on each of your wrists or shoulders using a sticky paste. The electrodes on your wrists / shoulders record your pulse. You rest on a couch where most of the test is performed with your eyes closed. Having your eyes closed shows up the brain activity that we are most interested in. You may be asked to do some deep breathing for a few minutes (health permitting) and later on to watch a flashing strobe light (with your permission). Every so often you will be asked to open and close your eyes. You will need to keep your head as still as possible. You will then be allowed to sleep for a little while if you wish but you don t have to go to sleep. After the test the electrodes are removed and most of the paste cleaned from your head. Any residue will wash out when you get home with water and shampoo. It is a good idea to bring a comb or brush with you to the appointment to tidy your hair after the test. What are the side effects and risks? There are no side effects to having the Video EEG itself. It is painless. Sleep deprivation can increase the chance of you having some of the symptoms / events of which you have been complaining. In individuals with seizure disorder, sleep deprivation can rarely cause a seizure. 1 G17030804W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Unique Identifier: NOE 14 (17). Review date: April 2019. 2
For this reason it is important that you avoid unsafe situations throughout the duration of sleep deprivation and for a day or so after the sleep deprivation. (e.g. bathing, swimming, heat eg cooking / boiling water etc). Do not drive. It is important that you be accompanied to and from the test. For your safety, you may feel that it s preferable that you be accompanied during the night / period of sleep deprivation and the following day while you sleep / recover. In exceptional cases, people with sensitive skin may experience redness at one or more of the electrode sites. Many patients tolerate deep breathing and/or photic stimulation without any adverse reaction at all. There is a small risk that deep breathing and / or photic stimulation (strobe light) may produce some of the events of which you have been complaining, or other symptoms such as headache or dizziness. There is a rare chance of photic stimulation causing an epileptic seizure. You will be monitored closely and although the risk is minimal, if you suffer an epileptic seizure this may affect your driving license. You may decline photic stimulation. The video is stored on a secure password protected server (storage device). Only medical staff involved in your care may access this information. Your data may be used for teaching, publication in medical journals and / or research only with your written permission. What happens if I decide to have a sleep deprived video EEG? You will have the opportunity to ask the doctor or technician questions about the information in this booklet before you decide whether or not to have an EEG. There will be no need to sign a formal consent form. As soon as you agree to the test we can begin. The entire procedure usually takes 60 minutes. Please do not wear any hair gel, oils or applications on the day of the test. Recent (within the week) hair colours or perms may interfere with the test. Your referring clinician will usually see you with the test results at a later date. What happens if I decide not to have a sleep deprived video EEG? You may decide to decline the video EEG or just decline the video and go on to have the EEG only. Your referring consultant will need to discuss the likely consequences of this decision. For example, he/she may find it more difficult to diagnose and/ or treat your condition. Is there anything else I should know? Please arrive in good time for your appointment. If you think you will be late please ring us as soon as possible. It may be necessary to re-book another appointment for you. Parking can be difficult - please allow for this, it can take up to 40 minutes to park depending upon how busy the hospital is. Please park on the East Car Park on Stott Lane which is closest (5-10 minutes walk) to our department. There is a charge 3 4 G17030804W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Unique Identifier: NOE 14 (17). Review date: April 2019.
for parking, please bring enough money / change with you. Parking information and site map are available online at: http://www.srft.nhs.uk/usefulinformation/how-to-get-to-thehospital/parking/ l This test is safe in pregnancy l You may eat and drink normally before your test apart from the restrictions outlined earlier (no caffeinated drinks) l This test can t read your thoughts or emotions l If you require an ambulance you should contact your own GP to make the arrangements. Please let us know if you will be coming by ambulance l Please note there are no facilities for childcare while you are having your test. For safety reasons, children of any age are not allowed in the test rooms l If you are currently taking any medication you should continue to do so, unless otherwise advised by your own GP or consultant l You may be invited back to have further tests if the consultant in our department or your referring doctor/ consultant thinks that a repeat test or a different test may be helpful l In this case you may receive an appointment for another test before seeing your referring doctor/consultant for the results of your first test l The main reason for this is to save time and inconvenience for you. Contact details Telephone: Fax: 0161 206 2068 0161 206 4612 Department of Clinical Neurophysiology Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD Email: clinical.neurophysiology@ srft.nhs.uk 5 6 G17030803W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Unique Identifier: NOE 13 (17). Review date: April 2019.
G17030804W. Design Services Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust All Rights Reserved 2017 This document MUST NOT be photocopied Information Leaflet Control Policy: Unique Identifier: NOE 14 (17) Review Date: April 2019 University Teaching Trust For further information on this leaflet, it s references and sources used, please contact 0161 206 2068. Copies of this information are available in other languages and formats upon request. If you need this interpreting please telephone In accordance with the Equality Act we will make reasonable adjustments to enable individuals with disabilities, to access this treatment / service. Email: InterpretationandTrans@srft.nhs.uk Under the Human Tissue Act 2004, consent will not be required from living patients from whom tissue has been taken for diagnosis or testing to use any left over tissue for the following purposes: clinical audit, education or training relating to human health, performance assessment, public health monitoring and quality assurance. If you object to your tissue being used for any of the above purposes, please inform a member of staff immediately. Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy. For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital Specialist Stop Smoking Service on 0161 206 1779 Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust Stott Lane, Salford, Manchester, M6 8HD Telephone 0161 789 7373 www.srft.nhs.uk If you would like to become a Foundation Trust Member please visit: www.srft.nhs.uk/ for-members If you have any suggestions as to how this document could be improved in the future then please visit: http://www.srft.nhs.uk/ for-patients