INTRODUCTION: Since it was discovered, EEG has been used as an important auxiliary diagnostic method in neurology, especially in epilepsy. OBJECTIVE: To verify the value of EEG for supporting the diagnosis of epilepsy. METHOD: We retrospectively analyzed 1015 pre-admission reports from an outpatient clinic of Campina Grande (PB) selecting the ones with suspected or confirmed epilepsy diagnosis. RESULTS: Analyzing 259 EEG reports, which were in accordance with the methodology, we found abnormalities in 113 (43.6%). Generalized discharges occurred in 30 (11.6%), focal discharges in 44 (17%) and multifocal discharges in 4 (1.5%). Abnormal slow waves occurred in 19 (7.3%), being focal in 11 (4.2%) and diffuse in 8 (3.1%). Background asymmetry occurred in 16 (6.2%). CONCLUSION: EEG is important for supporting the diagnosis of epilepsy and our results were similar to other reports in the literature.
epilepsy; EEG; diagnosis