Artifact Flashcards
Glossokinetic Potentials
Normal, Reproduced to verify (lalala). Mistaken for slow wave abnormal & FIRDA. Produced by the tongue just like eyes, except opposite polarity. Back of tongue is positive compared to the tip in frontal and temporal leads. Theta or Delta and about 75uV.
What are ‘O’ waves?
Eye blinks or EC in infants that produce large slow wave responses.
Breach Artifact
Localized, increased amplitude of high and low frequencies occurring over a skull defect such as that caused by craniotomy, burr hole, trauma, etc. Beta may appear quite sharp and mistaken for epileptiform activity.
IV Drip Artifact
Rare. Looks like small sharp or spike and wave but precise timing like EKG and other artifacts of the like.
Intraventricular Artifact
High amplitude sharps or spikes that resemble EKG in timing, but are usually generalized and can make a record unreadable.
Feeding Pump Artifact
Circular occipital/temporal slow waves.
Walking Artifact
Looks like the opposite of biphasic or triphasic waves. Occurs in the occipito-tempro-posterio head regions.
Back Patting Artifact
Looks like electrode artifact. Rhythmic and sharp.
Pulse Artifact
Slow waves that follow EKG and is commonly seen at the fontanelle in neonates.
What can disrupt an EEG and affect study interpretation?
Artifacts
Artifacts can significantly disturb background activity.
What are Glossokinetic potentials or Hypoglossal artifacts caused by?
Movement of the tongue
These artifacts appear as slower, diffuse delta frequency activity.
How do Hypoglossal artifacts appear in an EEG?
Slower, diffuse delta frequency activity that is mostly synchronized and symmetrical with frontal dominance
They can enhance artifacts from eye movement or tongue movement.
What references may enhance artifacts from eye movement in EEG?
Chin, nose, or cheek references
These references can be associated with glossokinetic potentials.
What should be done with any observed artifact by the technologist?
Eliminated and/or replicated to prove its source
This helps in verifying the artifact.
How can the hypoglossal artifact be reproduced for verification?
By asking the patient to move their tongue or say ‘la la la’ or ‘lilt’
This helps differentiate it from frontal delta activity.
What happens to the electrical field when the tongue moves?
The change spreads to the scalp and is recorded by scalp electrodes
This is how the artifact is captured in the EEG.
What type of waveform can be produced by tongue movement in an EEG?
Single or rhythmic diffuse delta waves
The delta waves are prominent in the frontal region.
What may the delta appearing waves in an EEG look like?
Vertical eye movement artifact
This similarity can complicate interpretation.
Does the appearance of the Glossokinetic artifact vary between individuals?
Yes, the same tongue movement can produce large artifacts in some but not in others
Individual differences affect artifact visibility.
What can help differentiate hypoglossal artifacts from infraorbital artifacts?
The use of eye electrodes
Eye electrodes provide additional data for differentiation.
What is an electroretinogram artifact?
Seen during photic in the prefrontal leads (fp1/fp2) at high sensitivities for recording suspected electrocerebral inactivity. Artifact matches the frequency of photic.
Hold an opaque card over the eye to block photic light flash from reaching the retina.
What is a tremor artifact?
Rhythmic theta activity with myogenic potentials superimposed occurring at 4-7 Hz as the head or body tremors.
Put leads on extremities with tremors.
How do you monitor eye movement artifact?
Place additional electrodes infraorbitally or on the outer canthus of each eye and reference eye leads to ear.
How are 60Hz artifacts caused by electromagnetic effects?
Caused by electrical appliances or equipment.
Eliminate by determining cause of 60Hz and remove, put on battery power, or turn off.