Uses and abuses of the EEG in epilepsy.

Our purpose was to indicate clinical situations in epilepsy in which the EEG provides useful information and those in which it is unhelpful and should be avoided. We performed an overview of the formal evidence available through Medline, Cochrane, and the Internet, as well as a traditional review based on the questions commonly asked of the authors department in a London teaching hospital. We found that there is insufficient high-quality evidence to informed decisions regarding EEG utility. The EEG has many uses in epilepsy but, without attention to detail in the referral, may be abused. Good liaison between the referrer and the EEG department is essential to make proper use of the EEG.