Authors :
Presenting Author: Tomi Ashaye, MD – Neurotech, LLC
Sedalia Cole, R. EEG T., CLTM – Neurotech, LLC; Danielle Pierce, R. EEG T., CLTM – Neurotech, LLC; Magdalena Warzecha, R.EEG/EP T, NA-CLTM, FASET – Chief Operating Officer, Neurotech, LLC
Rationale:
This study aims to compare the cost and quality of 48 hour ambulatory Electroencephalogram (EEG) done with Tensive to those done using Collodion.
Methods:
This retrospective study included intermittently monitored 48-hour ambulatory EEG studies in 252 adults. The EEG studies were performed by seven EEG technologists with greater than two years of ambulatory EEG experience. Collodion was used as the adhesive agent in half of the studies and Tensive was used in the other half. Electrodes were placed using the international 10-20 system and electrode impedances met the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) guideline of less than 10 kOhms at the start of the recording. The integrity of the electrode connection was assessed by evaluating the number of electrodes in which impedance exceeded 10 kOhms during the 48-hour study. Impedances for the Frontopolar electrodes (Fp1 and Fp2) were excluded as these electrodes are held in place by tape. The impedances were checked and documented every 4 hours, more frequently if artifact was noticed by the R.EEG technologist during intermittent monitoring. The cost per patient of using Collodion and its ancillary supplies was compared to the cost of using Tensive.
Results:
The incidence of at least one electrode with impedance greater than 10kOhms was similar for collodion and tensive groups within the first and second 24 hours of ambulatory EEG. During the first 24 hours, the incidence was 23% for collodion and 24.6% for tensive (p=0.7674). For the second 24 hours, similar findings were observed; 33.3% for collodion and 34.9% for tensive (p=0.795). The differences remained statistically insignificant when controlling for EEG technologist (p=0.5876) and patient gender (p=0.1275) over the 48-hour period.
The difference in mean number of instances of impedance greater than 10kOhms at 48 hours was also not statistically significant; 2.08 for collodion and 1.89 for tensive (p=0.5531). Lastly, there is a 73% cost reduction per patient when using Tensive compared to Collodion.
Conclusions: There is no significant difference in electrode impedances between Collodion and Tensive during 48-hour ambulatory EEG studies even when controlling for patient gender and EEG technologist. Tensive can be a more cost effective and convenient alternative to Collodion for ambulatory EEGs without compromising the integrity of electrode placement and quality of the study.
Funding: None