More than 100 professionals (including neurologists,neuropediatricians, neurosurgeons, and EEG technicians) met in São Paulo on September 23rd to participate in the course “Electroencephalogram: From routine to Continuous Monitoring”, developed by Liga Brasileira de Epilepsia (Brazilian Epilepsy League) (LBE), Sociedade Brasileira de Neurofisiologia Clínica (Brazilian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology) (SBNC), and Neurovirtual.
Created by Dr. Elza Marcia Yacubian (UNIFESP) and Dr. Luis Otávio Caboclo (Head of Neurophysiology in HIAE),
the course aimed to foster the theoretical and practical improvement of professionals that perform EEG exams.
Dr. Elza Marcia commented, “The electroencephalogram is irreplaceable in neurology and has been undergoing a remarkable development with the appearance of a new specialty: the electroencephalogram in the intensive care unit, with a unique meaning for the diagnosis for patients in general”.
During the event, the participants could learn about Neurovirtual’s state-of-the art equipment. The BWIII EEG plus ICU was highlighted: a complete monitoring system, enabling the user to perform a clinical EEG and a PSG with the same hardware. The impedance check feature, available directly on the amplifier, enables the technicians to check the impedance status without needing to leave the patient’s side.
The course lasted one day and the very dynamic lectures, with a duration of about half an hour each, were held in the morning. Among other subjects, Dr. Elza Maria Yacubian, Professor of Neurology at Federal University of São Paulo, spoke about activation techniques, hyperventilation and photostimulation, epileptiform activity and EEG indications according to the epileptic syndrome.
Dr. Luis Otavio Caboclo, Neurophysiology Director of Albert Einstein Hospital, debated the nomenclature consensus with the participants, and Dr. Miriam Guaranha, from Sirio Libanes Hospital, presented the subject “Artifacts; How to Identify and Correct Them”. Neuropediatrician Dr. Paula Girotto, from Children’s Hospital Sabará, opened the event with the presentation “Introduction to EEG, 10-20 and 10-10 Technique…”
According to Dr. Girotto, “The interaction between physicians and technicians improves the recording of an electroencephalograph and also the report quality a lot.”
Just after lunch, all participants joined a practical course, which tested their knowledge and enabled an information exchange among them. The chairperson of Liga Brasileira de Epilepsia, Dr. Maria Luiza Manreza, praised the fact that the course was extremely practical:
“The main factors that should be researched and analyzed in the electroencephalogram were highlighted in the course, and the difficulties ininterpreting such exams were also shown.”
Ed Faria, Neurovirtual CEO, added, “Our aim is promoting the theoretical and practical improvement of the professionals that perform EEG exams, with tools and information that cause a positive impact on the routines of patients and their relatives.”