Electrophysiology – Electroencephalography and Evoked Potentials

Through this key initial rotation, you will develop the background knowledge and bedside skills to understand, use and interpret vital tools for measuring electrical activity in the brain and nervous system.

You will quickly master the technical basics of EEG — such as amplifiers, montages, calibrations, filters and principles of localization — by observing one of our experienced technicians. You will soon be reviewing all EEGs and writing preliminary reports.

You will learn how and when to use EEG and EP in clinical settings, including:

• how to perform EEG, including placement of electrodes and adequate study using different EEG montages
• how to identify normal (awake, drowsy and sleep) adult or pediatric EEGs
• how to identify and interpret EEG abnormalities, including epileptiform activities and changes associated with both encephalopathic states and destructive processes

At Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, you will train in an EEG Laboratory and newly renovated, eight-bed Long-Term Monitoring Unit.

You may further specialize and build your knowledge of evoked potentials by arranging with staff to observe the following types at the Buffalo General Medical Center:

• one visual
  
• one brain stem auditory
  
• one somatosensory
  
• two intraoperative monitorings

Throughout your rotation, you will interpret at least 50 EEGs and one routine evoked potential of each modality performed.

You also will attend at least one surgery — including patient set up — requiring intraoperative EEG or EP monitoring.

You will learn from our knowledgeable specialists as you present your patients and review video-EEG materials during morning rounds.

You will deepen and augment your clinical knowledge as you actively participate in and prepare to present interesting cases at our weekly Child Neurology Conference.

You also will build crucial background knowledge through at least one epilepsy conference.

In addition, you will participate in a multidisciplinary epilepsy surgery conference centered on neurosurgical evaluation and treatment results, such as long-term monitoring, imaging and neuropsychological testing. This engaging learning experience, involving neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists and neuroimaging specialists, takes place at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

1 module