Controversies in Usefulness of EEG for Clinical Decision in Epilepsy: Pros. and Cons.

간질 치료에서 뇌파의 임상적 유용성에 관한 논란: 긍정과 부정적 관점에서

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is an indispensable tool for diagnosis of epilepsy and is the only assisting barometer of complete remission of epilepsy, which means prolonged, persistent suppression of cortical excitement in epileptic focus in addition to the clinical control of epileptic seizure. The specific morphologies or distribution of epileptic form discharges give us good information for the classification of seizure or epilepsy and epileptic syndromes, which consists of "Pros." in terms of diagnostic approach. In contrast, the EEG as a tool for long-term follow up might be limited due to the various clinical situation of each patient, which consists of "Cons." in terms of the usefulness of EEG for clinical decision. "Cons." aspect of EEG, which clinicians are more frequently coped with than those of "Pros", is an obstacle of utilization of follow up EEG in clinical practice. This is an overview about controversies in usefulness of EEG and the detailed aspects of "Pros." and "Cons." of EEG for clinical decision will be discussed following two articles. We tried to make consensus for the usefulness of EEG especially in the situation of "Cons." with plausible guideline.