URGENT INDICATIONS OF THE EEG IN FOCAL NE UROLOGICAL DEFICITS AND SEIZURES IN ADULTS

A focal neurological deficit is defined as the clinical expression of a structural or functional, transient or permanent abnormality that ca n be ascribed to a particular brain region. In that context, the indic ations of an EEG as part of the emergency management may be summarized as follows: i) The EEG in not indicated for the diagnostic, prognosti c or therapeutic management of transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or mig raine; ii) The possible prognostic value of EEG during the acute phase of stroke has not yet been validated; iii) In partial epileptic seizu res, especially complex partial epilepsy, the EEG is useful but not al ways indispensable for diagnosis. Its therapeutical and prognostic imp lications are still uncertain. Lastly, EEG is an absolute indication a s part of the emergency management of focal deficits in a febrile cont ext, where its diagnostic and prognostic value are unequaled.