Evaluation by the comprehensive epilepsy team at Duke is imperative for patients whose epilepsy symptoms do not resolve with medication. This is the case for 40 to 50 percent of all epilepsy patients.

Evaluation can occur in two phases.

Phase I Epilepsy Evaluation

Phase I evaluation includes:

• Outpatient awake and sleep electroencephalograms (EEG)
• Ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans
• Complete medication review
• Inpatient video EEG monitoring
• The latest in imaging studies with special magnetic resonance (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging

Phase II Epilepsy Evaluation

Some patients may require phase II monitoring, while others may be recommended directly for surgery intervention. Phase II evaluation may include invasive monitoring to further pinpoint the location from which the seizures originate.

The evaluation may also include strip or depth electrode insertion or placement of a grid-array of electrodes that not only localize the site of the seizure onsets, but also map functional areas of the brain.

Our specialized evaluation rooms contain the most sophisticated central telemetry, audio/visual, and EEG equipment. Nurses with special training in neurological disorders staff the rooms.

Duke is one of only a few facilities in the region to administer the intracarotid amytal test (also called the Wada test), a neuroradiology study of language and memory.

Learn more about what to expect in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.

Appointments

For a physician referral, or to schedule an appointment, call 888-ASK-DUKE (888-275-3853).