How can prolonged EEG monitoring be beneficial in clinical diagnosis?

Prolonged EEG monitoring is particularly beneficial in clinical diagnosis as it allows for the capture of infrequent seizures that might not occur during a standard EEG session, which typically lasts only a short period. Many patients with epilepsy or seizure disorders may experience events that are sporadic or infrequent, making it challenging to diagnose and determine appropriate treatment options based on a brief monitoring period. By extending the duration of the EEG monitoring, clinicians can observe brain activity over an extended timeframe, increasing the likelihood of detecting abnormalities when seizures do occur.

This method is especially useful in cases where the patient's clinical history suggests potential seizure activity, but previous tests have failed to capture any events. The ability to gather data on brain activity during prolonged monitoring provides crucial insights for clinicians, enabling timely and accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.