Video Electroencephalogram (VEEG)

A video electroencephalogram (VEEG), also known as a video EEG, is a painless, noninvasive monitoring technique. It is primarily used to diagnose and evaluate different seizure types as well as determine whether medical, dietary, or surgical intervention is needed to control seizures. It also may be recommended to assess staring spells or movements that resemble seizures. These behaviors and movements may be seen in conditions such as autism, attention disorders, fainting spells, developmental delay, headaches, or learning problems.

What is video EEG?

A VEEG is a specialized EEG test that allows us to monitor your child by continuously recording their electrical brain activity through EEG while video-recording them at the same time. It is often done inpatient during an epilepsy monitoring unit stay, but it may be performed in an outpatient setting in special circumstances.

To record your child’s ongoing brain activity, we will attach electrodes to their scalp. If your child’s EEG signals are abnormal, as indicated by unusual electrical spikes and waves in the brain, it may mean your child is prone to having ongoing seizures. These spikes and waves may occur even if your child does not show physical signs of having a seizure.

During a VEEG, your child’s EEG recordings will be time-locked with video recordings to help the doctor interpret the results. Your child may be asked to stare at flashing lights or breathe deeply for a few minutes to trigger a seizure or seizure-like activity. This allows your child’s doctor to determine whether the seizure or event was related to the electrical activity in the brain.

Why is video EEG performed?

A VEEG may be performed for several reasons:

• To determine if the events your child is having are seizures
• To help your child’s doctor identify the type of seizures
• To help your child’s doctor diagnose epilepsy or epilepsy syndromes
• To pinpoint the region of the brain where the seizure originates, which is essential for epilepsy surgery

What can I expect during the video EEG?

Electrodes will be applied to your child’s scalp using an adhesive known as collodion, and a head wrap will be placed over the electrodes to secure them. (If your child can keep the electrodes on their head without touching or pulling them, a head wrap is not necessary.) The electrodes are then connected to a wire or cord that is attached to an EEG box, a nearby wall, or a machine.

The VEEG will be monitored continuously. This allows us to fix any problems with the electrodes immediately. If your child experiences itching from the cap and glue, we may give them Benadryl to keep them from scratching the electrodes.

The technologist will remove the electrodes on the day your child is scheduled to return home. Do not remove the electrodes yourself or allow your child to remove them.

How can I best prepare for a video EEG?

Before your child is admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) for VEEG testing, be sure to wash their hair. Please do not use any hair products, including conditioner, gel, mousse, oils, and hairspray.

Care Team Approach

UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin, takes a multidisciplinary approach to your child’s care. This means your child and your family will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines. Your child’s care team will include epileptologists, pediatric neurologists, pediatric neuropsychologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, hospitalists, anesthesiologists, nurses, advanced practice providers, social workers, psychologists, child life specialists, dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, neurodiagnostic technicians, pharmacists, and more, who work together to provide unparalleled care for patients every step of the way. We collaborate with our colleagues at the Dell Medical School and The University of Texas at Austin to utilize the latest research, diagnostic, and treatment techniques, allowing us to identify new therapies to improve treatment outcomes. We are committed to communicating and coordinating your child’s care with their other healthcare providers to ensure that we are providing comprehensive, whole-person care.

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