Patient Resources - Cottage Epilepsy Center

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological condition. However, not all seizure-like spells are caused by epilepsy. At the Cottage Epilepsy Center, patients may be referred for specialized testing to determine a diagnosis and create a comprehensive treatment plan.

Testing may be ordered to confirm seizures, to understand more about a seizure disorder, to make treatment changes in a safe environment, or to obtain more information to determine if a patient is a candidate for surgery to treat epilepsy.

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Phase One Testing

Video/Electroencephalogram (EEG) Testing

For this testing, patients will be admitted to the hospital for approximately five to seven days. During the stay, patients will have continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) with video monitoring in order to record epileptic seizures.

Typically, patients have their antiseizure medications reduced to promote seizures during their stay. Three or more seizures are recorded on video and EEG. Medications may be adjusted at that time prior to being discharged.

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EEG Monitored PET Scan

Other testing done during this time period may include a specialized MRI scan and a positron emitted tomography or PET scan. The PET is done in the outpatient setting at the hospital and involves having an IV catheter placed and an injection of a radioisotope to look at how the brain metabolizes sugar.

In areas where seizures begin, there may be reduced metabolism which may show up on the brain scan which can help verify the diagnosis.

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Wada Testing

The Wada Test is also known as an intracarotid amytal test. It is a valuable tool in the evaluation of patients who are being considered for epilepsy surgery because it can help examine the independent functions of the side of the brain that is targeted for surgery.

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Additional Testing

If a patient’s evaluations suggest that surgery may be indicated, a Wada Test will be ordered. The Wada test is used as a preparation for epilepsy surgery. The test helps in determining how memory and language function is working in each side of your brain.

If necessary, an ictal SPECT scan (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) may be recommended to help the doctor find out where the seizures are starting. The SPECT scan is a nuclear medicine imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to measure blood flow in the brain. This testing may require admission to another facility.

Following these tests, your epilepsy physician will have a meeting with all members of the epilepsy team to discuss your case and come up with the best treatment plan. The recommendations of the team meeting will be presented to you so that you can make an informed decision regarding your treatment.

If the Cottage Epilepsy Center team determines that you need more detailed testing, you will go to phase two, which involves the use of surgically-placed electrodes into and over your brain to determine where the seizures are happening.