Evaluation of a new wireless technique for continuous electroencephalography monitoring in neurological intensive care patients

A novel wireless eight-channel electroencephalography (EEG) headset specially developed for ICUs was tested in regard of comparability with standard 10/20 EEG systems. The continuous EEG (cEEG) derivations via CerebAir EEG headset (Nihon Kohden Europe, Rosbach, Germany) and internationally standardized 10/20 reference EEGs as the diagnostic standard were performed in a mixed collective on a neurointensive care unit (neuro-ICU). The derivations were verified for comparability in detection of EEG background activity, epileptiform discharges, and seizure patterns. Fifty-two patients with vigilance reduction following serious neurological or metabolic diseases were included, and both methods were applied and further analyzed in 47. EEG background activity matched in 24 of 45 patients (53%; p = 0.126), epileptiform discharges matched in 32 (68%) patients (p = 0.162), and seizure activity matched in 98%. Overall, in 89% of the patients, cEEG detected the same or additional ICU-relevant EEG patterns. The tested wireless cEEG headset is a useful monitoring tool in patients with consciousness disorders. The present study indicates that long-term measurements with the wireless eight-channel cEEG lead to a higher seizure and epileptiform discharge detection compared to intermittent 10/20 EEG derivations in the ICU setting.