MRI COMPATIBLE EEG ELECTRODE SYSTEM FOR ROUTINE USE IN THE LTM AND ICU ENVIRONMENTS
Abstract number :
1.131
Submission category :
Year :
2003
Submission ID :
2202
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/6/2003 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2003, 06:00 AM
Authors :
John R. Ives, Seyed M. Mirsattari, Daniel Jones, Donald H. Lee Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada; Depar
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is frequently obtained in patients that require long-term scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring (LTM) in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) or the intensive care unit (ICU). EEG electrodes are usually removed for MRI studies and reapplied later. This process which requires the skills of an EEG technologists, is inefficient, awkward, and potentially damaging to the patients[apos] scalps. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that carefully selected MRI compatible EEG electrodes and associated materials can be left in place during MR imaging so that LTM can be resumed uninterrupted afterwards.
A carefully selected mass connector surface electrode system made of medically acceptable materials that contains no ferromagnetic components was constructed based on high quality EEG, ease of handle by non-EEG technologist, MRI compatibility and high quality MR images without susceptibility artifacts. Standard Grass gold cup electrodes are wired into three labelled (left, right, centre) 10-pin indexed plastic connectors. The electrode leads were kept as short as possible. They were colour and length coded for ease of placement. It was tested for excess heating and image quality in a phantom in a clinical 1.5 T GE scanner. After testing its safety in 3 volunteers, 20 consecutive patients from our epilepsy LTM unit were studied. They were easily disconnected by the nursing staff and accurately reconnected for further monitoring.
There was no change in the temperature of the EEG electrode discs during the various anatomical MRI sequences used in our routine clinical studies. The brain images were not distorted by the susceptibility artifact of the EEG electrodes. The EEG quality was equivalent or better than previous used non-MRI compatible electrodes. The system was readily accepted by the EEG technologists, EMU nursing staff and MRI technologists and thus has become a routine.
Our MRI compatible EEG set-up allows safe and artifact free brain imaging in 1.5 T MR scanners. It can be used for EEG recording during MRI studies and in patients requiring continuous EEG recordings. The mass connector system can easily be connected to any recording device by a custom harness/adapter. Individual electrodes can also be easily replaced without disassembly, soldering or removal of the entire electrode set.
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