Learning more about your appointment with
Electroencephalography
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp.
An EEG can find changes in brain activity that might be useful in diagnosing brain disorders, especially epilepsy or another seizure disorder. An EEG might also be helpful for diagnosing or treating:
- Brain tumors
- Brain damage from head injury
- Brain dysfunction that can have a variety of causes (encephalopathy)
- Sleep disorders
- Inflammation of the brain (herpes encephalitis)
- Stroke
- Sleep disorders
Please choose from the list below to learn more about your specific exam:
A routine EEG or electroencephalogram is a test that is used to measure the electrical activity in your brain.
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
No restrictions.
Before Your Exam/Test
Please wash and dry your hair prior to coming to your appointment.
Please refrain from using any hair products before your appointment.
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing (especially around the neck) with a short sleeve and refrain from wearing necklaces for your technologist’s convenience.
Please bring a current list of all medications you are taking with you to your appointment.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. When your technologist is prepared you will be escorted to the procedure room where the technologist or nurse will review or explain the exam.
Your technician will measure your head prior to the test beginning.
You will be asked to lay down for the duration of the exam.
Electrodes will then be attached to your scalp with a paste. You will then be asked to lay still while the technologist records your readings.
How long will it take?
Approximately 90 minutes.
After your appointment
If you have long hair you may wish to bring a hair elastic with you to your appointment as you will have messy hair after your appointment is completed.
Your results can be obtained from your ordering physician 1-2 weeks after your appointment.
A EEG or electroencephalogram is a test that is used to measure the electrical activity in your brain.
This type of EEG requires the patient to acquire less sleep than normal before undergoing the test.
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
No sugar or caffeine after midnight the night before your appointment.
Before Your Exam/Test
Please sleep for no more than 4 hours the night prior to your appointment.
Please wash and dry your hair the day of, prior to coming to your appointment. Please refrain from using any hair products in your hair after bathing.
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please bring a current list of all medications you are taking with you to your appointment.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing (especially around the neck) with a short sleeve and refrain from wearing necklaces for your technologist’s convenience.
Please arrange for someone to drop you off and pick you up after your appointment due to the sleep deprivation.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. When your technologist is prepared you will be escorted to the procedure room where the technologist or nurse will review or explain the exam.
Your technician will measure your head prior to the test beginning.
You will be asked to lay down for the duration of the test.
Electrodes will then be attached to your scalp with a paste. You will then be asked to lay still with hopes of you falling asleep while the technician records your readings.
How long will it take?
Approximately 90 minutes.
After your appointment
If you have long hair you may wish to bring a hair elastic with you to your appointment as you will have messy hair after your appointment is completed.
Your results can be obtained from your ordering physician 1-2 weeks after your appointment.
A pediatric EEG or pediatric electroencephalogram is a test that is used to measure the electrical activity in your child’s brain.
This type of EEG requires the patient to acquire less sleep than normal before undergoing the test to encourage the patient (child) to fall asleep during the test. This helps the child remain still throughout the test, allowing for the most conducive results.
Preparing your child for their appointment
What can my child eat?
No sugar or caffeine after midnight the night before your child’s appointment.
Before Your Child’s Exam/Test
Please wash and dry your child’s hair prior to coming to the appointment.
Please refrain from using any hair products on child before their appointment.
Allow child to take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please bring a current list of all medications your child is taking with you to your appointment. You may also wish to bring a bottle, soother, stuffed animal, blanket, books, etc. that will aid in your child falling asleep.
Please dress the child for for this exam in loose-fitting comfortable clothing and refrain from allowing them to wear jewelry for the technologist’s convenience.
Sleep Deprivation Instructions
Please deprive the child of sleep the night prior to their appointment to ensure they are tired upon arriving to their appointment.
To accomplish this, we suggest setting bedtime 2 hours later than normal and waking the child up 3 hours earlier than normal.
Please do your best to ensure the child does not fall asleep after waking the morning of the test.
About your child’s appointment
What to expect
When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. When your technologist is prepared you will be escorted to the procedure room where the technologist or nurse will review or explain the exam.
One parent/guardian will be permitted to accompany the child throughout the duration of this test.
The technician will measure your child’s head prior to the test beginning.
Your child will be asked to lay down for the duration of the test.
Electrodes will then be attached to your child’s scalp with a paste. They will then be asked to lay as still as possible, with hopes of them falling asleep while the technician records their readings.
How long will it take?
Approximately 90 minutes.
After your child’s appointment
If your child has long hair you may wish to bring a hair elastic with you to the appointment as they will have messy hair after the appointment is completed.
Their results can be obtained from their ordering physician/pediatrician 1-2 weeks after the appointment.