Children's Hospital is part of the UPMC family.
Our Sites
Be safe anytime, anywhere.
To find a pediatrician or pediatric specialist, please call 412-692-7337 or search our directory.
A resource for our network of referring physicians.
For more information about research, please call our main office at 412-692-6438.
Ranked #6 Nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
At UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, we believe parents and guardians can contribute to the success of this procedure, and we invite you to participate. Please read the following information to learn about the procedure and how you can help.
To make a referral, schedule an appointment, or request an evaluation for a child or teen, contact us at 412-692-6928 or email epilepsysurgery@chp.edu.
Magnetoencephalography (mag-NET-oh-en-seph-uh-LOG-gruff-ee), or MEG, is a test that uses sensors to form an image of magnetic fields produced within the brain. Doctors use these images to pinpoint areas of brain activity that indicate epilepsy. MEG is one of several tests that your child’s doctor may order to see if surgery is an option to control your child’s epilepsy.
When MEG is used with MRI, a test that shows the brain’s structure, the combination of images can show precisely which areas of the brain may be causing the seizures and which areas are working normally.
MEG is completely noninvasive, meaning that all testing is done on the outside of the body, and it does not hurt. No shots or needles are used, and there is no exposure to radioactivity or x-rays. It is similar to electroencephalograpy (EEG) and uses the same type of electrodes on the scalp as EEG and Video EEG testing. There is no risk involved with the MEG.
Before your child’s MEG scan:
The MEG scan itself takes about 1 hour, but getting set up for the test can take up to 2 hours. The length of your appointment may vary. Here is what to expect:
When the EEG electrodes and MEG coils are in place and the quality of the signal has been checked, the test is ready to begin. Because the MEG machine is very sensitive and will pick up the electrical brain activity of everyone in room, your child must be in the room alone; parents will be shown to the waiting room.
The most important role of a parent or guardian is to keep your child calm. The best way to keep your child calm is to be calm yourself. Knowing what to expect and explaining it to your child beforehand is the best way for both you and your child to be prepared for this procedure.
If your child has any special needs or health issues you feel the doctor needs to know about, please call the Division of Child Neurology before the procedure and ask to speak with a nurse. It is important to notify us in advance about any special needs your child might have.
Locations
Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Our main hospital address is:
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh One Children’s Hospital Way 4401 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224
In addition to the main hospital, Children's has many convenient locations in other neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
With myCHP, you can request appointments, review test results, and more.
For questions about a hospital bill call:
To pay your bill online, please visit UPMC's online bill payment system.
Interested in giving to Children's Hospital? Support the hospital by making a donation online, joining our Heroes in Healing monthly donor program, or visiting our site to learn about the other ways you can give back.