Postictal syndrome: The forgotten continent. An overview of the clinical, biochemical and imaging features.

Postictal syndrome (PIS) encompasses the clinical, biological, electroencephalographic (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs that follow the termination of a seizure. These signs occur as soon as the epileptic discharge ends, but might remain for a substantially long period of time, making them amenable to clinical observation. As a direct consequence, neurologists and intensivists are more frequently attending patients with PIS than during their seizure.

How Long Should Routine EEG Be Recorded to Get Relevant Information?

Objective: The optimal duration of routine EEG (rEEG) has not been determined on a clinical basis. This study aims to determine the time required to obtain relevant information during rEEG with respect to the clinical request.

Method: All rEEGs performed over 3 months in unselected patients older than 14 years in an academic hospital were analyzed retrospectively.