In our last post we explored the uses of EEG in assessing seizure activity, however, another common use of EEG testing is for concussions and other brain injuries. Our neurologists at Neurology of Charleston are experienced with treating these conditions as well as headaches, migraines, dizziness, or memory loss that may come as side effects with the injury. For these patients, MRI and EEG will often be one of the first methods used to gain additional information on the state of the injury.
After a person experiences some sort of head trauma, it is important to specifically locate the area of damage and track this impact throughout the healing process. The EEG test is able to evaluate damage to various areas of brain processing through 25-30 electrodes that are placed and categorized by region of the brain. Depending on the region that has sustained damage and the functioning that region controls, patient symptoms and implications can differ. That being said, EEG is not generally used to diagnose a condition on its own, but rather as a follow-up method for additional detail on the effects of an injury.
After a head injury, it can be critical to analyze the situation quickly. While many providers offering EEG have month-long wait lists for this procedure, Neurology of Charleston prides ourselves on providing rapid appointment availability. Taking advantage of the information provided by EEG can make the healing process more productive by getting straight to the point of distress for a particular patient’s injury. This contributes to the better understanding of a condition and improved recommendations for treatment.