Clinical Neurophysiology
Laboratory

Electroencephalography (EEG)

A record of the electrical activity of the brain, obtained by means of electrodes placed on the scalp. The EEG is most useful in the investigation and management of epilepsy. However, it is also useful as a noninvasive means of localizing structural abnormalities. Other neurological disorders can produce characteristic EEG abnormalities that can help to suggest, establish or support specific diagnosis.

Polysomnography

The EEG Laboratory is also equipped to do polysomnography and all night EEGs capable of diagnosing sleep-related disturbances. This Includes snoring & obstructive sleep apnea, Narcolepsy and sleep induced seizures.

Electromyography & Nerve Stimulation Studies
(EMG-NSS)

Electrodiagnostic studies can be helpful in evaluating weakness, numbness, pain and symptoms such as fatigue, cramps and abnormal sensation.

The physician evaluates the electric response of the nerve or muscle to which the nerve is attached and determines if the nerve impulse is (a) conducted normally (b) At a slow speed or (c) not transmitted at all, suggesting damage to the nerve. A brief electrical stimulus is applied to the nerve which causes a tingling sensation.

During an EMG, the physician analyzes the electrical activity in muscles by inserting a fine needle electrode into selected muscles. The physician can determine whether the muscle is working normally by seeing the electrical activity on a screen and listening over a loudspeaker. The needles are discarded after use to prevent AIDS, hepatitis and other infections.

Neuromuscular Unit

Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of neuro- muscular disorders e.g. motor neuron disease, neuropathies, myoneural junction disorders like myasthenia gravis and myopathies. In addition to the EMG-NSS, other services offered by the unit include:

• Repetitive Nerve Stimulation Studies
• Tensilon Test
• Botulinum Toxin Therapy (Botox)
• Nerve and Muscle Biopsy

Evoked Potentials

These studies use different stimuli, such as auditory clicks, a changing visual pattern such as a checkerboard, or small electrical stimuli applied to specific nerves. The recordings are made over the surface of the head and the spine to evaluate whether the sensory impulses are conducting normally. Specifics tests include:

• Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP)
• Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP)
• Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP)

Present Neurodiagnostic tests that can be done in the Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory.

Electroencephalography Procedures (EEG)

18 Channel Routine
• With Anterior Temporal Leads
• Sleep Deprived
• All Night EEG
• ECS Protocol-Electrocerebral Silence
• MSLT-Multiple Sleep Latency Test

21 Channel Routine
• With Anterior Temporal Leads
• Sleep Deprived
• Polysomnography
• Neonatal EEG
• MSLT-Multiple Sleep Latency Test

Electromyography Nerve Conduction Velocity Procedures (EMG-NCV)

• Upper/Lower Extremities
• All Extremities
• Facial Nerve
• RNS-Repetitive Nerve Stimulation studies
• Blink Reflex
• BAER-Brainstem Auditory evoked response
• VER-Visual evoked response
• SSEP-Somatosensory evoked response

For further information, please call:

Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory
Phone 731-3001 Loc. 2470