EEG Artifacts

Abstract

In reading EEGs, one should recognize artifacts which obscure the EEG and may confuse the interpreting physician. Artifacts are signals recorded by EEG but not generated by brain. Some artifact may mimic true epileptiform abnormalities or seizures. Awareness of logical topographic field of distribution for true EEG abnormality is important in distinguishing artifact from brain waves. Physiologic artifacts originate from the patient and non-physiologic artifacts originate from the environment of the patient. This chapter defines and gives examples of physiologic artifacts such as EKG, pulse, pacemaker, eye movements, myogenic, shivering, sniffling, hiccupping, glossokinetic and sway artifact as well as non-physiologic artifacts such as loose electrodes, 60 Hz artifact, and bed movements.