ABSTRACT
Objective: our hypothesis was that an EEG recording of 20 minutes' duration would yield more information than a 10-minute EEG in capturing epileptiform abnormalities
Methods: the study was conducted in electrophysiology section of neurology department of services hospitals, Lahore during 2012. Total 171 consecutive EEG patients were evaluated
Results: we prospectively studied 171 consecutive EEGs [patients of 16-29 years old] of 20 minutes' duration performed at Services Hospital. Although the majority [89%] of interracial EEG abnormalities can be identified within the first 20 minutes of a routine EEG, extending the time of a routine EEG may increase the yield. The single electrical abnormality was found to appear between 11 to 14 minutes
Conclusion: it should be emphasized that every EEG should be done for at least 20 minutes duration as recommended, especially when the first 10 minutes are normal