EEG for the Intensivist: Basics

EEG is a relatively cheap and outpatient test for diagnosis of epilepsy. Neurologists and epileptologists are trained to read and interpret the EEG record. In the last few years, we are witnessing a huge surge in neurointensive critical care units in India. Neurointensivists are the primary doctors taking care of patients with various neurological diseases in ICU. EEG is frequently being ordered by the doctors in neurointensive care unit. The aim of this article is to give basic insight into reading and interpretation of EEG in neurological diseases by ICU doctors and not delay the emergency treatments if and when required on urgent basis. I have tried to touch upon the different patterns of EEG in ICUs like slowing, periodic discharges, nonconvulsive status epilepticus, burst suppression, and electrographic seizures and briefly on the etiologies of such patterns in ICU. This review should encourage the neurointensivist, neurologist, and epileptologist to have good interdepartmental treatments and protocols for managing such cases in ICU. The future lies in continuous EEG monitorings to happen in ICU settings.