The Canadian journal of cardiology
-
Review Meta Analysis
Diagnostic Value of Neurological Studies in Diagnosing Syncope: A Systematic Review.
Syncope is common and approaches to establishing etiology remain a matter of clinical and financial importance. Patients often undergo comprehensive neurologic investigations despite a lack of compelling indications. The aim was to determine the prevalence of use and diagnostic yield of electroencephalography (EEG), head computed tomography (CT), head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and carotid Doppler ultrasound (CUS) examinations. ⋯ Neurologic investigations for assessment of patients deemed to have syncope are used widely and are widely ineffective. Neurologic investigations should be obtained only with a very high degree of clinical suspicion.