Seizure-related adverse events during video-electroencephalography monitoring.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to characterise seizure-related adverse events during video-electroencephalography (vEEG) monitoring.

METHODS

Our study evaluated adverse events in 230 epilepsy patients during vEEG monitoring while patients were awake and asleep.

RESULTS

A total of 588 seizures were recorded and 231 adverse events were identified including electrode displacement (14.5%), aspiration risk (8.5%), urinary incontinence (7.5%), postictal psychosis (5.8%), tongue biting (5.3%), and patient falls (0.5%). No severe types of adverse events were observed, such as choking or aspiration pneumonia. Of the seizures recorded, 39.1% occurred while patients were sleeping and 38.5% of adverse events occurred during this time, which included electrode displacement (48.2%), aspiration risk (28.0%), tongue biting (60.0%), postictal psychosis (16.7%), patient falls (66.7%), and urinary incontinence (38.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of seizure-related adverse events during vEEG monitoring is mild. vEEG is an acceptably safe procedure for epilepsy research and precautions should be put in place to prevent these events.