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Video-EEG Telemetry

What is Video-EEG Telemetry?

Sydney Children's Hospital Telemetry
  • Telemetry involves the recording of a child's activity with a video camera along with simultaneous brainwave (EEG) recordings via a computer.
  • It is used mainly in the diagnosis of events that are suggestive of seizures.
  • When the child has an event, we can carefully review the video and corresponding brainwave recordings. If the child has had a seizure, characteristic patterns may appear in the brainwave recordings. In this way we can determine the exact nature of the events and decide if they are seizures or perhaps something else.

Why do Telemetry?

  • Diagnosis of Epilepsy: Is it a seizure or is it something else ?
  • Classification of Seizures: What kind of seizures are they ?
  • Assessment for Epilepsy Surgery: What if the medicines dont work ?

How is the video recorded?

  • Telemetry studies are performed in a special room in the Bill Wallace Ward (C1N), with video cameras mounted on the ceiling. It is the parent or guardian's task to monitor the child closely, and note typical seizure-like events. The child can move freely about the room provided he/she remains on camera.

How is the EEG recorded?

  • Several different approaches are used to obtain EEG recordings depending on the purpose and duration of the telemetry study.

Sydney Children's Hospital Telemetry

  • The most common approach begins with measurement and marking of the child's scalp with a felt-tip pen. These markings identify standard electrode placement positions. The electrodes are small metal disks with holes in their centres, connected to fine wires.
  • Each scalp marking is then rubbed with a mildly abrasive paste prior to application of an electrode.
  • Special adhesive paste or glue is used to attach the electrodes to the scalp. In some cases a conducting gel is inserted under the electrode. Typically, a total of 21 electrodes are attached to the scalp. Depending on the nature of the study, extra electrodes are sometimes required.
  • The wires from the electrodes plug into a small box, which is then bandaged to the top of the child's head or placed in a custom made T-shirt pouch on the child's back. A long cable connects the box to a computer for EEG recording.
  • The entire electrode application procedure generally takes about 2 or more hours, depending on the child's behaviour, the technique used and the number of electrodes required.
  • The procedure is not painful, although the child's scalp may become itchy after a while. There may be some small red marks after removal of the electrodes, but these should disappear after a few days.

What do we need to bring?

  • Please bring tops that button or zipper up for your child. This is because the electrodes and bandages can make it difficult to remove shirts when required.
  • Bring the usual toiletries and comfortable clothing for yourself and your child. You should also bring DVDs, videos, toys, games and so on; to keep your child entertained, particularly during the electrode set-up.

How long does a Telemetry study take?

  • The duration varies according to event frequency and other factors relating to the initial purpose of the study. The study may take several hours, overnight, or up to week or so. One parent or guardian is required to stay with the child at all times. Overnight, parents will have access to a bed in the telemetry room.

How are appointments made?

  • Appointments are only made following your doctors referral (usually a paediatrician) to A/Prof Annie Bye and/or Dr John Lawson, by the childs treating physician. Staff will then liase with the family to determine an appropriate time for the telemetry study.

What is the waiting time?

  • The waiting time depends on the type of study, frequency of the child's events, and if any other tests need to be performed. Where possible, the Telemetry unit will help coordinate appointments and accommodation for families travelling from regional and remote areas.

Last minute cancellations:

  • If you have to cancel your appointment due to unforseen circumstances, and can not contact the telemetry office (eg out of hours) please contact the Admissions office on 02 9382 1441. If you have any accommodation bookings with Ronald McDonald House or Coulter House please also notify them.

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Publications

  • Nolan MA, Redoblado MA, Lah S, Sabaz M, Lawson JA, Cunningham AM, Bleasel AF, Bye AME. Intelligence in Childhood Epilepsy Syndromes. Epilepsy Research 2003;53:139-50.
  • Lawson JA, Cook MJ, Vogrin S, Litewka L, Strong D, Bleasel AF, Bye AME. Clinical, EEG, and quantitative MRI differences in pediatric frontal and temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurology 2002;58:723-729.
  • Wilmshurst Jo M, Bye A, Rittey C, Adams C, Hahn AF, Ramsay D, Pamphlett R, Pollard JD, Ouvrier R. Severe infantile axonal neuropathy with respiratory failure. Muscle and Nerve 2001;24:760-768.
  • Sabaz M, Cairns DR, Lawson JA, Bleasel AF, Bye AME. The health-related quality of life of children with refractory epilepsy: A comparison of those with and without intellectual disability. Epilepsia 2001;42:621-8.
  • Lawson JA, Vogrin S, Bleasel AF, Cook MJ, Burns L, McAnally L, Pereira J, Bye AME. Predictors of hippocampal, cerebral and cerebellar volume reduction in childhood epilepsy. Epilepsia 2000;41(12):1540-5.
  • Lawson JA, O'Brien TJ, Bleasel AF, Haindl W, Vogrin S, Cook MJ, Bye AME. Evaluation of SPECT in the assessment of treatment of intractable childhood epilepsy. Neurology 2000;55:1391-3.
  • Lawson JA, Vogrin S, Bleasel AF, Cook MJ, Bye AME. Cerebral and cerebellar volume reduction in children with intractable epilepsy. Epilepsia 2000;41:1456-62.
  • Sabaz M, Cairns DR, Lawson JA, Nheu N, Bleasel AF, Bye AME. Validation of a new quality of life measure for children with epilepsy. Epilepsia 2000;41:765-74.
  • Bye AME, Kok DJM, Ferenschild FTJ, Uter JSH. Paroxysmal non-epileptic events in children: A retrospective study over a period of 10 years. J Paediatr Child Health 2000;36:244-48.
  • Lawson JA, Bye AME. Funny turns in children. Australian Doctor. Mar 1999.
  • Lawson JA, Nguyen W, Bleasel AF, Pereira JK, Vogrin S, Cook MJ, Bye AME. ILEA - Defined Epilepsy Syndromes in Children: Correlation with Quantitative MRI. Epilepsia 1998;39;12: 1345-1350.
  • Lawson JA, Cook MJ, Bleasel A, Nayanar V, Morris KF, Bye AME. Quantitative MRI studies in outpatient childhood epilepsy. Epilepsia 1997; 38;12:1289-1293.
  • Bye AME, Lee D, Naidoo D, Flanagan D. The effects of morphine and midazolam on EEGs in neonates. J Clin Neurosci 1997,4(2):173-175.
  • Gotman J, Flanagan D, Rosenblatt B, Bye A, Mizrahi EM. Evaluation of an automatic seizure detection method for the newborn EEG. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 1997;103:363-369.
  • Bye AME, Cunningham CA, Chee KY, Flanagan D. Outcome of neonates with electrographically identified seizures or at risk of seizures. Paediatr Neurol 1997;16,3:225-231.

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Education

The Telemetry Unit holds weekly meetings to discuss patient management. With review of neuropsychology, MRI and CT scans, Nuclear medicine scans (eg. SPECT and PET). The meeting also plays an educational role aimed towards the attending junior medical staff and students, and EEG technicians from Prince of Wales Hospital.

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Contact Us

For further information regarding Telemetry, contact us:

In Writing

Sydney Children's Hospital Telemetry

Video-EEG Telemetry Unit
Sydney Children's Hospital
High Street
Randwick NSW 2031

By Telephone

Please call us Direct on:

  • Tel: (02) 9382-1801
  • Fax: (02) 9382-1580


For general information regarding epilepsy and epilepsy support, contact:

In Writing

Epilepsy Association
PO Box 9878
In your capital city

By Telephone

  • Sydney
    • Tel: (02) 9856-7075
    • Fax: (02) 9869-4122
  • South Queensland
    • Tel: (07) 3823-9206
  • North Queensland
    • Tel: (07) 4031-3727
  • Other areas
    • Tel: 1300 36 61 62

By Email

Please direct all email correspondance to:

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