Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS) Artifact in the EEG of a Pediatric Patient

We report the first case of deep brain stimulator (DBS) artifact in the EEG of a pediatric patient. Our case is a 7-year-old male with bilateral globus pallidus interna (GPi) DBS for whom the EEG recorded a rhythmic 7.5 Hz theta activity on EEG related to DBS artifact. This artifact was also appreciated as a monochromatic invariable frequency band over 7.5 Hz on density spectral array (DSA). This rhythmic artifact may mimic an ictal pattern and should be recognized as artifact in order to avoid unnecessary treatment with anti-seizure medications (ASM).

Automated summary

We reported the first case of deep brain stimulator artifact in the EEG of a pediatric patient, which showed rhythmic 7.5 Hz theta activity. This artifact should be recognized to avoid unnecessary treatment with anti-seizure medications.