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Britton JW, Frey LC, Hopp JLet al., authors; St. Louis EK, Frey LC, editors. Electroencephalography (EEG): An Introductory Text and Atlas of Normal and Abnormal Findings in Adults, Children, and Infants [Internet]. Chicago: American Epilepsy Society; 2016.

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Electroencephalography (EEG): An Introductory Text and Atlas of Normal and Abnormal Findings in Adults, Children, and Infants [Internet].

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Appendix 4. Common Artifacts During EEG Recording

Amongst the very primary considerations behind EEG interpretation is to realize that artifact is legion and pervasive. The interpreter must always beware of the possibility that a waveform in question may be an artifact. The two chief categories of artifact are physiological/biological or nonphysiological artifacts, resulting from electrical phenomena or devices in the recording environment. Physiological artifacts may include cardiac, pulse, respiratory, sweat, glossokinetic, eye movement (blink, lateral rectus spikes from lateral eye movement), and muscle and movement artifacts. Examples of each type are shown in the figures below.

Eye Movements

Figure 83.. Eye flutter evident in the frontopolar and anterior leads.

Figure 83.

Eye flutter evident in the frontopolar and anterior leads.

Figure 84.. Rapid eye movements generate small spike-like discharges in the frontopolar derivations.

Figure 84.

Rapid eye movements generate small spike-like discharges in the frontopolar derivations.

Tongue Movements, Talking, and Chewing

Figure 85.. Glossokinetic potentials from tongue movement, reproducible by having the patient say “la, la.

Figure 85.

Glossokinetic potentials from tongue movement, reproducible by having the patient say “la, la.”

Figure 86.. Dissimilar metals causing electrostatic artifacts during talking generate spiky waveforms in seconds 5 through 8 of this epoch.

Figure 86.

Dissimilar metals causing electrostatic artifacts during talking generate spiky waveforms in seconds 5 through 8 of this epoch.

Figure 87.. Chewing artifact.

Figure 87.

Chewing artifact.

Movement Artifacts

Figure 88.. Movement artifact mimicking a partial seizure discharge at the P3 electrode.

Figure 88.

Movement artifact mimicking a partial seizure discharge at the P3 electrode.

Figure 89.. Pulse artifact creates rhythmic slow wave artifact at F4.

Figure 89.

Pulse artifact creates rhythmic slow wave artifact at F4. Note the frequency mirrors that of the cardiac cycle.

Electrode Artifacts

Figure 90.. Electrode “pop” artifact at P7 simulates rhythmic seizure activity.

Figure 90.

Electrode “pop” artifact at P7 simulates rhythmic seizure activity.

Figure 91.. Electrode “pop” artifact at F3.

Figure 91.

Electrode “pop” artifact at F3.

Sweat Artifact

Figure 92.. Sweat artifact.

Figure 92.

Sweat artifact.

Copyright ©2016 by American Epilepsy Society.

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Bookshelf ID: NBK390358
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