03 artifact-related epilepsy

Upload: as

Post on 04-Apr-2018

214 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    1/16

    DOI 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31827973252013;80;S12Neurology

    William O. TatumArtifact-related epilepsy

    January 14, 2013This information is current as of

    http://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.html

    located on the World Wide Web at:The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is

    rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0028-3878. Online ISSN: 1526-632X.Allsince 1951, it is now a weekly with 48 issues per year. Copyright 2013 by AAN Enterprises, Inc.

    is the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Published continuouslyNeurology

    http://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.htmlhttp://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.htmlhttp://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.html
  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    2/16

    William O. Tatum, DO,

    FAAN

    Correspondence to

    Dr. Tatum:

    [email protected]

    Artifact-related epilepsy

    ABSTRACT

    Potentials that do not conform to an expected electrical field generated by the brain characterize an

    extracerebral source or artifact. Artifact is present in virtually every EEG. It is an essential compo-

    nent for routine visual analysis, yet it may beguile the interpreter into falsely identifying waveforms

    that simulate epileptiform discharges (ED). The principal importance of artifact is represented by the

    frequency of its occurrence in contrast to the limited frequency of normal variants that may imitate

    pathologic ED. Continuous EEG monitoring has uncovered newly identified artifacts unique to pro-

    longed recording. The combined use of video and EEG has revolutionized our ability to distinguish

    cerebral and extracerebral influences through behavioral correlation that is time-locked to the elec-

    trophysiologic features that are present on EEG. Guidelines exist to ensure minimal standards of

    recording. Precise definitions are present for ED. Still, the ability to distinguish artifact from patho-

    logic ED requires a human element that is to provide the essential identification of an abnormal EEG.The ramification of a misinterpreted record carries an acute risk of treatment and long-term conse-

    quences for diagnosis-related harm. Neurology 2013;80 (Suppl 1):S12S25

    GLOSSARY

    cEEG5 continuous EEG; ED5 epileptiform discharges; EMU5 epilepsy monitoringunit; ICA5 independent componentanalysis;ICU5 intensive care unit; PNEA 5 psychogenic nonepileptic attacks; PWS5 patients with seizures; vEEG 5 video EEG.

    Recording EEG is routinely performed to evaluate many different neurologic conditions thatinvolve the brain. It is most commonly utilized and most specific in the evaluation process ofpatients with suspected seizures. The clinical utility of surface-based EEG is to detect and localizeelectrocerebral activity as a helpful adjunct in the clinical care of patients. Potentials that do not

    conform to an expected electrical field that is generated by the brain characterize an extracerebralsource or artifact.1 Artifacts are present in virtually every EEG and may arise from a variety ofextracerebral sources (table 1), yet they are an essential component for routine visual analysis.2

    The ideal EEG represents a weighted balance that maximizes cerebral activity and minimizesextracerebral activity. Emergence of artifacts becomes increasingly evident when the sensitivityor the duration of the recording increases. Both physiologic3 and nonphysiologic4 sources ofartifact may lead to confusion and incorrect interpretation of the EEG. EEG is uniquely suitedfor neurophysiologic identification, classification, quantification, and localization of epileptiformdischarges (ED) in patients with seizures (PWS) and may be done in real time.

    Artifacts are intertwined with epilepsy. Relative to epilepsy, they may beguile the interpreter

    into misidentifying waveforms (false-positive) that simulate ED (figure 1). They may obscure therecording during ED or seizures to eliminate EEG detection (false-negative) from a diagnosticequation. Cerebral spikes may be difficult to separate from spikes due to artifact (figure 2). Thedefinition of a spike (or a sharp wave) refers only to duration (spike 5 2070 milliseconds; sharp

    wave5 70200 milliseconds) and not the source, pathologic mechanism, or inherent epileptoge-nicity. Hence the definitions are fairly precise but not that helpful in interpreting EEG.5 Theprincipal importance of artifact is represented by the frequency of its occurrence, and in the abilityto mimic epileptiformabnormalities.1,6 The clinical impact is supported by approximately 30% ofpatients admitted to an epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), who represent over 250,000 people in the

    From the Department of Neurology, Mayo College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.

    Go to Neurology.org for full disclosures. Disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of this article.

    S12 2012 American Academy of Neurology

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    3/16

    United States misdiagnosed with epilepsy.7

    The true prevalence that is either predicated

    or promulgated by an abnormal and misin-terpreted EEG is emerging as an important

    subgroup with a true incidence that is currentlyunknown. However, in one series of patientsundergoing video-EEG (vEEG) for newly diag-nosed psychogenic nonepileptic attacks (PNEA),up to 32% had epileptiform abnormalities on aprevious EEG report that upon review by a ded-icated electroencephalographer were found to benormal.8 Identifying a mismatch between poten-

    tials generated by the brain from activity thatdoes not conform to a realistic head model isthe foundation for recognizing artifact. It is withthis in mind that artifact-related epilepsy is dis-cussed within the framework of common arti-facts that mimic ED on scalp EEG.

    TECHNOLOGY The era of computer-based EEG has

    elevated the quality of acquiring EEG by analog equip-

    ment, and transcended many of the limitations previ-

    ously imposed by recording electrocerebral signals onto

    paper media.9 Previously, artifact introduced into the

    Figure 1 Repetitive artifact from scratching simulating an electrographic seizure

    Note the limited field with opposite polarity in ipsilateral temporal chain and involvement of the extracerebral EKG channel despite the apparent pseudoe-

    volution. From Tatum WO, Dworetzky BA, Schomer DL. Artifact and recording concepts in EEG. J Clin Neurophysiol 2011;28:252263.4 Used with

    permission.

    Table 1 Common sources of EEG artifact

    Nonphysiologic sources Physiologic sources

    Electrodes Normal

    Pop Eye movements

    Impedance mismatch Cardiac

    Lead wires Myogenic

    Machine and connections Bone defects

    Aliasing Mastication and deglutition

    Jackbox Abnormal

    60 Hz Tremor

    Static electricity Myoclonus

    Implanted electrical devices Movements

    Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013 S13

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    4/16

    tracing was unable to be separated or modified after it

    was recorded. Since the advent of digital EEG, record-ing, analyzing, and storing large quantities of infor-

    mation are possible with the ability to make post hoc

    changes in montages, filter settings, display speed, and

    quality. However, new types of artifact have become

    evident as our use of continuous EEG (cEEG) monitor-

    ing expands.10 cEEG and quantitative EEG have yielded

    newly identified artifacts that appear during prolonged

    recording. Patients in special care units, including the

    EMU, intensive care unit (ICU), and operating room,

    are particularly vulnerable.10,11 False conclusions may

    be drawn due to artifact with power spectral analyses

    or topographic displays that have been unavailable in

    the past.12 The combined use of video and EEG (vEEG)

    has revolutionized our ability to distinguish cerebral and

    extracerebral influences through behavioral correlation

    time-locked to the electrophysiologic features on EEG.13

    A quiet patient, controlled setting, and a qualified

    technologist are the foundation to minimizing the

    amount of artifact. The responsibility of the techno-

    logist during the recording is to prove whether a wave-

    form is artifact or not, and act to identify or eliminate

    it from the recording.14 The technologist monitors, eli-

    minates, and camouflages extracerebral sources when

    bioelectric fields introduce artifact. Electrode con-

    tact with the scalp (figure 3), maintenance of a quietenvironment, and troubleshooting are keys to mini-

    mize artifact-related diagnoses of epilepsy. Without

    immediate identification of an extracerebral source,

    the likelihood of subsequently misidentifying artifact

    as abnormalities is greater. In that case, the principles

    of electrophysiology solely govern recognition. Trou-

    bleshooting artifact must be done at the time of the

    recording. Post hoc filtering and montage manipu-

    lation (figure 4) may help, but unless a noncephalic

    source is identified, the electrocerebral field may

    appear real.

    The EEG recording may not be fairly represented

    by the limits of the machine and misrepresent an arti-

    fact. Aliasing undersamples any signal in time (sample

    rate) and space (number of electrodes), recording false

    signals. Environmental sources of artifact may intro-

    duce 60 Hz into the recording. Electrical and magnetic

    fields intrinsic to the electrode and body add linearly to

    the signal and are usually recognizable. Modern isolated

    grounds attenuate 60-Hz noise and like a notched filter,

    help to facilitate interpretation of obscured EEG. How-

    ever, the majority of artifact in the EEG appears as

    extraneous noise to hamper optimal interpretation of

    Figure 2 A couplet of pseudo-spike-and-slow waves in a 21-year-old with new-onset seizure suspected to be due to excessive energy drinks

    Note the rapid spikes, intermixed myogenic artifact, absent cerebral field, and positive phase reversals in the frontocentral channels during eye blinks on arousal. The

    tracing was otherwise normal and the patient was not treated without recurrence at 6 months.

    S14 Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    5/16

    the EEG. Hence the post hoc interpretation of EEG is

    often compromised if visual analysis relies solely upon

    waveform or pattern recognition.15

    The physical andfunctional components of EEG are represented by a

    few critical parameters of recording (table 2). Guide-

    lines for prolonged EEG monitoring in the EMU have

    been developed to address technical features.16

    SOURCES OF ARTIFACT Artifact may arise any-

    where between the patientelectrode interface and the

    recording device and commonly occurs due to insecureconnection between the two.17 Some areas in the hos-

    pital are electrically complex and hostile to recording

    and predispose to artifacts.5,7,10 Both extrinsic and

    intrinsic electrical noise can result in artifact that may

    Figure 4 Changing the montage may be beneficial in elucidating artifact in the EEG

    Note thesuspicious frontopolar spikes(A) at theend of an electrodechainin theA-P longitudinal bipolar montage. With redesign of themontage to thetrans-

    verse bipolar montage, this becomes identifiable as single electrode artifact at FP2 (B).

    Figure 3 Periodic single electrode artifact mimicking periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges

    Note the absence of a cerebral field and isolation to a single electrode.

    Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013 S15

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    6/16

    obscure the EEG and mimic IED. Common external

    sources of electrical artifact are due to the 60-Hz alter-

    nating current from nearby power supplies, devices, or

    outlets, though this is usually recognizable. Electrical

    noise produced in the environment by ventilators, feed-

    ing/infusion pumps, and IV drip external to the patient

    Figure 5 Electrostatic artifact during multiplexing (red square) when a laptop cable touches the telemetry cable during seizure monitoring

    Note the single electrode artifact at FP1 (black arrow).

    Table 2 Suspicious features of the EEG that suggest artifact

    Restricted activity or waveform to only 1 channel

    Artifact until proven otherwise

    Activity that appears in .1 noncontiguous head region

    Suggests a discontinuous generator such as artifact

    Complex waveforms with alternating double and triple phase reversals

    Implies a field that is not due to a cerebral generator

    Activity that appears at the end of an electrode chain

    May imply a source that is distant to the brain

    Atypical generalized waveforms

    Suggests the potential for an equipment artifact involving all channels

    Periodic patterns

    Precise periodicity and morphology suggests artifact

    Very high or very slow frequencies ,1 Hz or .70 Hz

    Most cerebral activity lies between 1 and 35 Hz

    Adapted from Tatum WO, Dworetzky BA, Schomer DL. Artifact and recording concepts in EEG. J Clin Neurophysiol

    2011;28:252263.4

    S16 Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    7/16

    may create capacitance, inductance, and electrostatic

    artifacts (figure 5), resulting in high-amplitude poten-

    tials that mimic EDs. Interference due to biologically

    active magnetic fields may also be introduced by inter-

    nal generators, including cardiac pacemakers, ven-

    tricular assist devices, and neurostimulators. These

    contribute to a variety of artifacts that usually obscure

    but occasionally mimic ED. Independent of the source,

    the foundation to judge artifact is established when an

    unbelievable electrophysiologic localization, polarity,

    and field exist. Distribution may be diffuse, hemi-

    spheric, or focal and restricted to a single channel. Non-

    physiologic waveforms associated with single-electrode

    artifact or movement associated with the cable may

    appear suspicious. Suspicious waveforms should

    always raise the possibility of artifact.10 Many nonphy-

    siologic and physiologic artifacts are encountered in the

    process of recording EEG.18When combinations occur

    (figure 2), greater difficulty in identification is present.

    INTERICTAL ARTIFACT ED are commonly mim-

    icked by artifact. Artifacts may be confused with both

    focal and generalized ED and arise from physiologic

    and nonphysiologic sources. Ocular, myogenic, oral

    and pharyngeal, cardiac, and sources that stem from

    defects of the cranial bones may generate artifact that

    simulates ED (figure 6). Nonphysiologic sources

    including electrodes, wires, jackbox, machines, inter-

    nal, and external/environmental sources are common.

    This is especially true in special care units, although

    these are usually able to be identified. Physiologic sour-

    ces of artifact are usually the principal source4,5 of

    waveforms misidentified as ED. Electrophysiologic

    dipoles exist in most biological tissue produced by

    electrical current gradients. Eye movement artifact on

    EEG is present in virtually every conscious individual.

    The biological dipole of the cornea is electropositive

    relative to the retina. Eye movement generates a direct

    current potential difference, which is measurable in the

    horizontal by the anterior temporal electrodes (i.e., F7/

    F8 positions) and the vertical plane represented by

    the anterior scalp electrodes (FP1/FP2 positions). An

    electro-oculogram helps differentiate cerebral potentials

    that are in phase with extracerebral potentials (figure 7)

    Figure 6 Right skull breach after craniotomy demonstrates a single electrode artifact that appears as repetitive F8 spikes

    Note the electrode popwith a rapid spike andrecoveryto baseline without a discernible electrocerebralfield.The electrodewas later identified to be at the

    edge of the craniotomy and was resecured with elimination of thespike-and-waves.

    Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013 S17

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    8/16

    that are out of phase.19

    Due to the Bell phenomenon, aneye blink in the frontal head region produces a surface

    positive sharp waveform as the cornea depolarizes the

    frontopolar electrodes when it rolls upward during eyelid

    closure. The peak deflection is downward and rarely

    confusing in isolation. However, when photic stimula-

    tion produces myogenic spikes and is coupled with eye

    flutter, a combination of artifacts may mimic generalized

    spike-and-waves (figure 8). Eye movement monitors

    placed below the eye can verify the ocular origin. By

    demonstrating out of phase deflections, the confu-

    sion with a photoparoxysmal response or pseudofrontal

    intermittent rhythmic delta activity can be proven.

    Eye movements may generate spikes (figure 9). These

    arise from the lateral rectus muscles (also known as

    muscle artifact) during REM. They represent motor

    unit potentials generated by muscles of the globe near

    the lateral orbit (F7/F8). Higher amplitude direct cur-

    rent potentials during horizontal eye movements may

    also produce slow wave in a similar manner. When lat-

    eral rectus spikes occur in a repetitive fashion (i.e., nys-

    tagmus), focal spikes may erroneously be interpreted as

    ED. The temporalis and frontalis are the principal

    muscles that produce myogenic artifact on EEG.

    Similar to the lateral rectus spikes, contraction ofthe frontalis muscles (figure 8) may produce myo-

    genic potentials that mimic.20 Myogenic artifact asso-

    ciated with the rhythmic and repetitive motion of

    chewing may create burst of high-amplitude general-

    ized polyspikes (figure 10) that can be confused with

    ED.21 Cardiac muscle is another important source of

    artifact, especially during states of impaired con-

    sciousness. Babies, children, and adults with short

    necks (greater cardiac proximity), double-distance elec-

    trodes (i.e., brain death recordings), and reference mon-

    tages predispose to EKG artifact. When waveforms

    appear in succession, the periodicity of the EKG artifact

    may mimic generalized periodic epileptiform discharges

    and prompt unnecessary diagnostic evaluations or treat-

    ment. Similarly, bipolar montages may reveal left

    hemispheric diphasic waveforms in the temporal der-

    ivations due to the vector created by the electrical con-

    duction of the left ventricle, generating the QRS

    complex to simulate periodic lateralized epileptiform

    discharges. A linked ear reference will help to cancel

    the EKG artifact. When artifact is frequent, bilateral,

    and rhythmic, confusion with nonconvulsive status epi-

    lepticus may potentially arise.

    11

    Figure 7 Vertical eye blink artifact demonstrates out-of-phase potentials in the eye movement monitors (oval) while horizontal eye

    movements direction is identified by the positive phase reversals that lie proximate to the corneal (the conjugate negative phase

    reversal closest to the retina)

    S18 Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    9/16

    ICTAL ARTIFACTS Repetitive body movements mayproduce changing electrical fields to produce rhyth-

    mic depolarization mimicking electrographic seizures

    (figure 11).22 The importance of separating nonepilep-

    tic behavioral sources, creating artifact from pseudoe-

    pileptiform patterns produced by artifact due to

    behavioral sources, is crucial and is assisted by identi-

    fication of that behavior (figure 12). The difference is

    essential when treatment relies solely on the interpre-

    tation of EEG, such as in those patients who are

    encephalopathic or comatose. PNEA may generate

    rhythmic artifacts that mimic seizures. They are com-

    mon and may challenge even the experienced electro-

    encephalographer in the absence of historical and video

    accompaniment.23 Similarly, unilateral or asymmetric

    tremor (i.e., Parkinson disease or essential tremor) or

    movement may produce ipsilateral artifacts that simu-

    late a focal seizure. Varying frequencies can produce

    pseudoevolution while varying amplitudes are cou-

    pled with varying amplitudes of body movement.

    Movement monitors applied to the affected limb or

    body part may readily demonstrate artifact by demon-

    strating time-locked potentials to the brain-EKG-

    movement channels and are in-phase. When recurrent

    or continuous, focal status epilepticus may be misdiag-nosed. Myoclonus associated with generalized high-

    amplitude bursts of myogenic artifact, if misinterpreted,

    might confirm generalized seizures. In a patient with

    recurrent attacks, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy might

    be misdiagnosed, translating to lifelong treatment

    (Tatum, personal observation, 2010). In the absence

    of a trained observer or concomitant video recording, a

    variety of movements may create the appearance of a

    seizure. Ambulatory EEG is especially prone to artifact

    (figure 13). cEEG contains pitfalls in the ICU28 and

    distinguishing artifact that mimics nonconvulsive sta-

    tus epilepticus may separate holding medication from

    induction of iatrogenic coma.

    DETECTING AND REMOVING ARTIFACT Emerging

    recognition of the impact of this problem and evolving

    software availability provide the tools to overcome the

    boundaries imposed by artifact. Artifact recognition is

    the essential first step. The ability to define artifact is

    based upon electrophysiologic cues. Visual analysis,

    technologists support, and postacquisition choice in

    montage design and filtration are helpful to validate

    a

    suspicious

    waveform. Video capability is rapidly

    Figure 8 Pseudo-spike-and-slow waves due to superimposition of vertical eye blink artifact (black arrow) and myogenic spikes (red arrow)

    The addition of eye movement monitors was able to demonstrate out-of-phase extracerebral potentials and video-confirmed eyelid flutter.

    Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013 S19

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    10/16

    becoming a standard even for routine EEG recording.

    It permits true clinical correlation with behavior cou-

    pling to EEG, allowing recognition of potential extrac-

    erebral generators. Guidelines exist to ensure minimal

    standards of recording.24

    Some artifact is crucial to identify stages of sleep and

    level of consciousness. Whether to monitor or eliminate

    artifacts depends upon the accessibility and necessity of

    the source. New artifact rejection software is available.25

    High linear frequency filter, automated rejection, and

    automated elimination are means of eliminating arti-

    fact when it exists as interference. Specialized artifact

    rejection algorithms have been devised to eliminate

    artifact in unique environments to combine the tem-

    poral resolution of EEG with the spatial resolution of

    MRI.26

    The easiest means of achieving artifact reduction is

    to avoid them. When they do occur, visually iden-

    tifying and rejecting contaminated epochs of EEG

    results in eliminating artifact, as well as useful informa-

    tion. Several automated techniques exist to remove arti-

    fact from the EEG. EMG artifact is usually more difficult

    to remove than eye movement artifacts with automated

    artifacts removal systems. One method, known as regres-

    sion, has been used offline to remove ocular artifact.27

    This technique is based upon time or frequency domains

    and removes reference channels that contain eye move-

    ment (EMG reference channels are harder to identify).

    While widely utilized, some intermixed cerebral activity

    is extracted as well. Independent component analysis

    (ICA) is a newer method that is based upon source

    separation.28 After the mixed signals from EEG are

    processed, the ICA algorithm isolates one or a few

    components composed of artifact and then removes

    them. ICA methods have demonstrated superiority of

    this method over other methods, including digital

    filtration.29,30 The most recent algorithms31 attempt

    to correlate a greater similarity between muscle activ-

    ity and noise. Source separations are optimized and

    EMG sources are isolated and eliminated by subtract-

    ing the contribution of these components by auto-

    correlation values less than a specified threshold for

    artifact that is determined by statistical analysis.29

    Many of the automatic artifact removal systems apply

    to a singular type of artifact (i.e., eye movements or

    EMG), though recently proposed methods may allow

    Figure 9 Motor unit potentials generated by muscles of the orbit that represent spike-artifact (red arrow)

    Note the lambda waves in the occipital region that are surface-positive sharp waves and a normal physiologic response (blue arrow).

    S20 Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    11/16

    Figure 10 Repetitive polyspikes associated with chewing artifact during computer-assisted ambulatory EEG recording

    Video was not available but the polyphasic morphology with a bitemporally predominant field is characteristic at 1.5 Hz.

    Figure 11 Unilateral left arm tremoring in a patient in the intensive care unit

    Note the similar appearance to an electrographic seizure but the adjacent triplephase reversals (black arrows) and their occurrence between noncontiguous

    channels T5-O1 and FP2-F8.

    Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013 S21

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    12/16

    Figure 12 Artifact from wiggling a finger in an ear canal

    Note the slight increase in frequency from 4 Hz to 5.5 Hz prior to abrupt cessation that mimics an electrographic seizure. This EEG might be suspicious

    without a comment from the technologist if confirmatory history or video recording was not available. The consequence of misdiagnosis would include long-

    term treatment with antiepileptic drugs.

    Figure 13 Artifact simulating a 5-second burst of 2-Hz generalized spike-and-wave on computer-assisted ambulatory EEG in a 36-year-old

    patient referred for evaluation of seizures

    Note the involvement of the extracerebral channel (EKG).

    S22 Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    13/16

    removal of more than 1 type.32 Using more than1 technique such as the canonical correlation analysis

    that removes EMG and ICA to remove eye move-

    ment artifacts allows more complete artifact removal

    from the EEG.29

    ILLUSTRATIVE CASE OF MISIDENTIFIED

    ARTIFACT A 32-year-old woman was visiting friends.

    She experienced an accidental slip and fall at her hotel.

    She struck her head but did not lose consciousness. She

    later developed an episode of dizziness, collapsed, and

    briefly lost consciousness. In a local emergency department,

    she was diagnosed with syncope. She was admitted over-night for cardiac monitoring and was seen by a cardiologist

    and a neurologist. Her CT brain was normal. An EEG was

    reported to be abnormal due to P3 and F4 sharp waves.

    She was placed on carbamazepine and discharged with a

    diagnosis of seizure disorder. Subsequently her spells

    recurred manifest as abrupt loss of consciousness with

    shaking all over. She was then placed on topiramate.

    The episodes continued frequently. A second EEG dem-

    onstrated T5 and T4 sharp waves. vEEG monitoring was

    performed but no episodes were captured. Left temporal

    Figure 14 Representative case samples of EEG illustrate the effect of narrowing the filter settings on artifact

    Unfiltered artifact (A) eliminates contamination by myogenic artifact to produce sharp waves in (B) showing filtered EEG (circle). (C) Independent bursts of

    bitemporal wicket waves (arrow).

    Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013 S23

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    14/16

    spikes were identified and she was implanted with a vagus

    nerve stimulator. She sued the hotel chain for $49 million.

    Later, she was directed by the defense attorney to a

    university center where video-EEG captured PNEA.

    Acquisition of the initial 2 EEGs demonstrated artifact

    (figure 14) with filter settings of 515 Hz. Review of

    the inpatient video-EEG revealed clear left temporal

    wicket waves.

    The case settled for $6 million out of court based

    upon drug-resistant post-traumatic seizures.

    This case illustrates the impact of false performance

    of, reliance on, and interpretation of the EEG. The ini-

    tial clinical diagnosis of syncope was correct before giv-

    ing rise to PNEA. An EEG ordered for syncope had

    disastrous results. It did not conform to performance

    standards (filter settings of 170 Hz), which produced

    artifact that mimicked sharp waves. The atypical loca-

    tions and the variability in different settings was a clue

    that the interpretation was misguided. While initially

    nonphysiologic reasons led to incorrect medical treat-

    ment, misidentification of physiologic wicket spikes,which are a benign variant of normal, as pathologic

    resulted in a surgical procedure.

    The litigation and sizable award settlement was

    based upon overinterpreted EEG.

    CONCLUSIONS Many nonphysiologic and physio-

    logic artifacts are encountered in the process of record-

    ing EEG.18 Some artifacts are essential to understand

    functions of the brain; however, many artifacts are not

    and may lead to misinterpretation of the EEG as epi-

    leptiform, prompting incorrect treatment. Most physi-cian errors are diagnostic.33 Despite computerization of

    EEG, artifact identification, recognition, and elimina-

    tion will still be essential human tasks of EEG interpre-

    tation. It is surprising that more punitive damages and

    civil lawsuits have not been filed based upon misinter-

    preted EEG34 given the ramifications of overtreatment

    that may be life-altering or even fatal. With the unique

    and complex nature imposed by the many artifacts that

    exist, even seasoned technologists and electroencepha-

    lographers will continue to be challenged to recognize

    every artifact that may be surreptitiously identified asED and jeopardize the correct interpretation of the

    EEG summarized for clinical decision-making. With

    the greater emphasis on prolonged EEG recording,

    newly identified artifacts will continue to become

    apparent.35 It is with this in mind that artifact-related

    epilepsy remains a clinical consideration during routine

    interpretation of the EEG.

    AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

    W. Tatum: drafting/revising the manuscript, contribution of vital reagents/

    tools/patients, acquisition of data, study supervision.

    DISCLOSURE

    The author reports no disclosures relevant to the manuscript. Go to

    Neurology.org for full disclosures.

    Received November 16, 2011. Accepted in final form February 29, 2012.

    REFERENCES

    1. Klass DW. The continuing challenge of artifacts in the

    EEG. Am J EEG Technol 1995;35:239269.

    2. Aurlien H, Gjerde IO, Aarseth JH, et al. EEG background

    activity described by a large computerized database. Clin

    Neurophysiol 2004;115:665673.

    3. Krauss GL, Abdallah A, Lesser R, Thompson RE,

    Niedermeyer E. Clinical and EEG features of patients with

    EEG wicket rhythms misdiagnosed with epilepsy. Neurology

    2005;64:18791883.

    4. Tatum WO, Dworetzky BA, Schomer DL. Artifact and

    recording concepts in EEG. J Clin Neurophysiol 2011;28:

    252263.

    5. Maulsby RL. Guidelines for assessment of spikes and sharp

    waves in EEG tracings. Am J EEG Technol 1971;11:316.

    6. Tatum WO, Husain AM, Benbadis SR, Kaplan PW. Nor-

    mal adult EEG and patterns of uncertain significance.

    J Clin Neurophysiol 2006;23:194207.

    7. Benbadis SR, Allen Hauser W. An estimate of the prevalence

    of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Seizure 2000;9:280

    281.

    8. Benbadis SR, Tatum WO. Overintepretation of EEGs and

    misdiagnosis of epilepsy. J Clin Neurophysiol 2003;20:42

    44.

    9. Ferree TC, Luu P, Russell GS, Tucker DM. Scalp elec-

    trode impedance, infection risk, and EEG data quality.

    Clin Neurophysiol 2001;112:536544.

    10. Tatum WO, Dworetzky BA, Freeman WD, Schomer DL.

    Artifact: recording EEG in special care units. J Clin Neu-

    rophysiol 2011;28:264277.

    11. Hirsch LJ, Kull LL. Continuous EEG monitoring in theintensive care unit. Am J Electroneurodiagnostic Technol

    2004;44:137158.

    12. Nuwer MR. Quantitative EEG: I: techniques and prob-

    lems of frequency analysis and topographic mapping.

    J Clin Neurophysiol 1988;5:143.

    13. Tatum WO. Long-term EEG monitoring: a clinical approach

    to electrophysiology. J Clin Neurophysiol 2001;18:442455.

    14. Sullivan L. EEG artifacts. In: American Society of Electro-

    neurodiagnostic Technologists I. Kansas City: American

    Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists; 2008:5.

    15. Young GB, Campbell VC. EEG monitoring in the intensive

    care unit: pitfalls and caveats. J Clin Neurophysiol 1999;16:

    40

    45.16. American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. Guideline

    twelve: guidelines for long-term monitoring for epilepsy.

    J Clin Neurophysiol 2008;25:170180.

    17. Reilly EL. EEG recording and operation of the apparatus. In:

    Niedermeyer E, Lopes da Silva FH, eds. Electroencephalogra-

    phy: Basic Principles, Clinical Applications, and Related Fields.

    Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999:122142.

    18. Stern J, Engle J. Atlas of EEG Patterns. Philadelphia: Lippin-

    cott Williams & Wilkins; 2005.

    19. Bonnet M, Carley D, Carskadon M, et al. ASDA report EEG

    arousals: scoring rules and samples. Sleep 1992;15:173184.

    20. Dworetzky B, Herman S, Tatum WO. Niedermeyers Elec-

    troencephalography: Basic Principles, Clinical Application,

    S24 Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    15/16

    and Related Fields, 6th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/

    Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011.

    21. Epilepsy Therapy Project. All about epilepsy [online]. Avail-

    able at: www.epilepsy.com. Accessed September 15, 2011.

    22. Sethi NK, Torgovnick J, Sethi PK. Rhythmic artifact of phys-

    iotherapy in intensive care unit EEG recordings. J Clin Neu-

    rophysiol 2008;25:62.

    23. Benbadis SR. The EEG in nonepileptic seizures. J Clin Neu-

    rophysiol 2006;23:340352.

    24. American Electroencephalographic Society. Guideline one:

    minimum technical requirements for performing clinicalelectroencephalography. J Clin Neurophysiol 1994;11:25.

    25. De Clercq W, Vergult A, Vanrumste B, et al. A new muscle

    artifact removal technique to improve the interpretation of

    the ictal scalp electroencephalogram. Conf Proc IEEE Eng

    Med Biol Soc 2005;1:944947.

    26. Allen PJ, Polizzi G, Krakow K, Fish DR, Lemieux L. Iden-

    tification of EEG events in the MR scanner: the problem of

    pulse artifact and a method for its subtraction. Neuroimage

    1998;8:229239.

    27. Gratton G, Coles MG, Donchin E. A new method for off-

    line removal of ocular artifact. Electroencephalogr Clin Neu-

    rophysiol 1983;55:468484.

    28. Makeig S, Bell AJ, Jung T-P, Sejnowski T. Independent com-

    ponent analysis of electroencephalographic data. In: Advance

    in Neural Information Processing Systems 8. Cambridge: MIT

    Press; 1996:145151.

    29. Gao J, Yang Y, Sun J, Yu G. Automatic removal of various

    artifacts from EEG signals using combined methods. J Clin

    Neurophysiol 2010;27:312320.

    30. Urrestarazu E, Iriarte J, Alegre M, Valencia M, Viteri C,

    Artieda J. Independent component analysis removing artifacts

    in ictal recordings. Epilepsia 2004;45:10711078.

    31. Vergult A, De Clercq W, Palmini A, et al. Improving theinterpretation of ictal scalp EEG: BSS-CCA algorithm for

    muscle artifact removal. Epilepsia 2007;48:950958.

    32. Dammers J, Schiek M, Boers F, et al. Integration of ampli-

    tude and phase statistics for complete artifact removal in

    independent components of neuromagnetic recordings.

    IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2008;55:23532362.

    33. Newman-Toker DE, Pronovost PJ. Diagnostic errors: the

    next frontier for patient safety. JAMA 2009;301:10601062.

    34. Dyer C. 10m pounds sterling settlement for children mis-

    diagnosed with epilepsy. BMJ 2005;330:1466.

    35. Young B, Osvath L, Jones D, Socha E. A novel EEG artifact in

    the intensive care unit. J Clin Neurophysiol 2002;19:484486.

    Neurology 80 (Suppl 1) January 1, 2013 S25

    2012 American Academy of Neurology. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

  • 7/29/2019 03 Artifact-Related Epilepsy

    16/16

    DOI 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31827973252013;80;S12Neurology

    William O. TatumArtifact-related epilepsy

    January 14, 2013This information is current as of

    ServicesUpdated Information &

    .htmlhttp://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.fullincluding high resolution figures, can be found at:

    References

    .html#ref-list-1http://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.fullThis article cites 29 articles, 2 of which can be accessed free at:

    Subspecialty Collections

    http://www.neurology.org/cgi/collection/eeg_

    EEGhttp://www.neurology.org/cgi/collection/all_epilepsy_seizures

    All Epilepsy/Seizuresfollowing collection(s):This article, along with others on similar topics, appears in the

    Permissions & Licensing

    http://www.neurology.org/misc/about.xhtml#permissionstables) or in its entirety can be found online at:Information about reproducing this article in parts (figures,

    Reprintshttp://www.neurology.org/misc/addir.xhtml#reprintsus

    Information about ordering reprints can be found online:

    http://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.htmlhttp://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.htmlhttp://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.html#ref-list-1http://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.html#ref-list-1http://www.neurology.org/cgi/collection/eeg_http://www.neurology.org/cgi/collection/eeg_http://www.neurology.org/cgi/collection/eeg_http://www.neurology.org/cgi/collection/all_epilepsy_seizureshttp://www.neurology.org/cgi/collection/all_epilepsy_seizureshttp://www.neurology.org/misc/about.xhtml#permissionshttp://www.neurology.org/misc/about.xhtml#permissionshttp://www.neurology.org/misc/about.xhtml#permissionshttp://www.neurology.org/misc/addir.xhtml#reprintsushttp://www.neurology.org/misc/addir.xhtml#reprintsushttp://www.neurology.org/misc/addir.xhtml#reprintsushttp://www.neurology.org/misc/addir.xhtml#reprintsushttp://www.neurology.org/misc/about.xhtml#permissionshttp://www.neurology.org/cgi/collection/eeg_http://www.neurology.org/cgi/collection/all_epilepsy_seizureshttp://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.html#ref-list-1http://www.neurology.org/content/80/1_Supplement_1/S12.full.html