An evaluation of electroencephalography in cerebral infarction and ischemia due to arteriosclerosis

Abstract

A study was made in 94 patients of the eeg changes associated with cerebral infarction due to arteriosclerosis. Only 2/3 of patients with a diagnosis of unilateral infarction in the cerebral hemisphere had lateralizing eeg abnormalities. Definite abnormalities were usually absent in patients with small, localized brain stem lesions and in patients with intermittent cerebral ischemia. Diffuse brain stem infarction or bilateral hemispheral lesions were associated with a high incidence of eeg abnormalities. Close correlation between the eeg findings and the site and severity of the neurologic deficit was not observed. Serial eeg studies demonstrated a relationship between the pattern of electrical activity and the state of resolution of the pathologic process in the individual patient.