Sleep-Related Epilepsy Diagnosis: Standard Video-EEG or Video-EEG Telemetry?

Video-EEG telemetry is a neurophysiological noninvasive method of investigation used for determination of electroencephalogram changes and semiology of paroxysmal events. In this study we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of video-EEG telemetry in sleep-related epilepsy diagnosis. For this purpose, we have selected 115 patients (18.9 +/- 1.3 years old, 71 males) with nocturnal seizures in anamnesis (witnessed level of diagnosis). All patients went through video-EEG telemetry and standard video-EEG according to the IFCN guidelines. The value of video-EEG telemetry was determined using real positive and real negative results. The real positive results of video-EEG telemetry turned to be 79.1% (91 patients), while 12% (14 patients) had no EEG changes in the standard video-EEG nor in video-EEG telemetry. In conclusion, the video-EEG telemetry has a high diagnostic value-79.1% in the diagnosis of sleep related epilepsy and should be performed in patients with nocturnal paroxysmal events.