Magnetoencephalography Center

Magnetoencephalography, or MEG, measures the magnetic fields produced by electrical currents occurring naturally in the brain. The measurements create a comprehensive “map” of the brain that pinpoints sources of seizures as well as other essential brain regions and is instrumental in determining the most effective treatment and surgical options.

Benefits:

• Non-invasive. No injections, dyes, radiation or magnetic fields means that studies can be repeated, if needed, without harm or risk.
• Localizes activity in the brain, down to the millimeter.
• Used alongside other diagnostic tools and tests, such as MRI and EEG, to accurately plan for precise surgical procedures.
• For epilepsy, brain tumors and other neurologic conditions.

• Ask your provider about a MEG exam referral.
• After your referral is received by our team, the MEG coordinator will call you for an initial screening and to schedule an appointment. You will also be contacted prior to the exam to make sure preparations are all set. If you or your child will be having sedation for the exam, the sedation team will also contact you.
• If you have any questions about your MEG referral, please call us at 616.486.9995.

The MEG is totally quiet and does not generate any radiation or magnetic fields. You or your child will lie very still on a bed and wear a special sensing helmet. Your care team will always be able to communicate with and see you.

Most patients will be asked to sleep for part of the exam. Many tests will be completed while the patient is awake, including listening for different sounds, feeling different touches or seeing pictures. Other tests may involve moving parts of the body, making decisions or answering questions.

Before the exam:

• For epilepsy patients, please limit your sleep to 4 hours or less the night before the exam. We recommend sleeping midnight to 4 am.
• Children less than 5 years of age will be given different instructions.
• Please avoid food or drink with high sugar or caffeine content the evening before or the day of the exam.

Day of the exam:

• Please take medications as prescribed
• Do not wear hair products or any form of cosmetics/make-up
• Please remove any metallic nail polish and all removable piercings
• Epilepsy patients please bring rescue medications
• Check in at your designated location
• You or your child will be asked to remove all metal objects from your body and wear hospital scrubs. There is a secure locker for your clothes and valuables, if needed.
• Epilepsy patients will have an EEG prepared and recorded along with the MEG exam.

Pediatric patients:

• Go to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital lobby on the first floor, get your patient badge and take elevators to Level C for check in. The MEG technician will come to get you at your check in area and bring you and your child to the MEG suite on Level-D.

Adult patients:

• Go to the Butterworth Hospital main lobby, get your patient badge, then take the F elevator to 2W to check in. The MEG technician will come to get you at your check in area and bring you to the MEG suite on Level-D.

Depending on how many tests your doctor orders, and if you are having sedation, the exam can take anywhere from two to four hours, including preparations.

Parents and guardians will be allowed to go in the MEG room with your child to help prepare and settle them before the exam, and then will be escorted to the waiting room for the duration of the exam. In some cases, a parent or guardian may need to stay in the MEG suite.

• When the exam is finished, the MEG technician will remove EEG electrodes if they were used. You or your child will change back into his/her clothes, and you will be escorted back to the check-in area.
• The MEG results will be reported directly to your referring physician, usually within two weeks.