Tests We Perform
Electromyography (EMG)
Description of Test:
An EMG is a two-part test that examines the muscles and nerves. The first part examines the condition of the impulses of the nerves by electrically stimulating the nerves using low-intensity electricity so that no pain is experienced. The second part uses electrodes to study the muscle activity. This study can help evaluate lesions of the motor nerves or roots, disturbance of the neuro-muscular junction, or muscle disease. The test duration varies depending on the areas that need to be tested.
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Description of Test:
An EEG measures the brain's electrical activity (brain waves). An EEG may be used to diagnose and monitor seizure activity or to help evaluate brain tumors and other neurological conditions. A technologist will place 20 to 25 small disks (electrodes) on your scalp with a glue-like adhesive. You might be asked to breathe rapidly or look at a flashing light. You will then be asked to lie quietly or sleep, if possible, in a recliner chair while equipment connected to the electrodes records your brain's electrical activity. An EEG is painless and takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete, although it may last longer.
Preparation:
Please arrive for this outpatient procedure at the time and location given to you.
The evening before or morning of your appointment, wash and dry your hair, but do not apply any spray, oil, mousse, or cream.
Sleep only four hours the night before this test. Sleeping for only a few hours will help ensure that you fall asleep during the test and enable your physician to study your brain's electrical activity. Unless your physician tells you otherwise, take your regular medication as scheduled. On the day of the test, eat regular meals, but do not consume coffee, tea, chocolate, or other products containing caffeine.
You might receive a sedative to help you relax during this procedure. As a precaution, please arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home.
Electronystagmography (ENG)
Description of Test:
An ENG is a test that evaluates dizziness by examining the ears, the main organs of equilibrium. The ENG can tell your doctor the reasons for your dizziness so that he/she can determine the appropriate treatment. This test lasts approximately 1½ hour.
Preparation:
Arrive for this outpatient procedure at the time and location given to you.
Do not eat or drink anything for three hours before the test. Sometimes the test may cause nausea, and very rarely vomiting.
Do not drink any alcohol for 24 hours prior to the test.
Do not take any medication that causes drowsiness for 24 hours prior to the test.
Your ear canals should be free of wax.
Bring your eyeglasses if you wear them.
If you have a pacemaker, you cannot have this test. Please advise your physician immediately.
Brain Auditory Evoked Responses (BAER)
Description of Test:
The BAER studies the deep structures of the brain by stimulating the ear with a sound and recording its condition through the brain. Although your hearing may seem normal to you, this test may still find problems in the brain that could not be detected by any other means. This test is painless and lasts approximately one hour.
Visual Evoked Responses (VER)
Description of Test:
The VER studies the functioning of the visual pathways, especially the optic nerves. The eye is visually stimulated with moving squares and the conduction is traced from the eye to the center of vision in the cortex of the brain.
Although your vision may seem normal to you, this test may still find problems in the brain that could not be detected by any other means. This test is painless and lasts approximately one hour.
Somatosensory Evoked Responses (SSER)
Description of Test:
The SSER studies the sensation of touch by stimulating either at the level of the wrist or the ankle and recording the nerve impulse up to the sensory center of the brain.
Although your sensation level may seen normal to you, this test may still find problems in the brain that could not be detected by any other means. This test is painless and lasts approximately one hour.
Preparation:
Please arrive for this outpatient procedure at the time and location given to you.
The evening before or morning of your appointment, wash and dry your hair, but do not apply any spray, oil, mousse, or cream. In addition, do put on any greasy moisturizers on your arms and legs as this will prevent the proper adhesion of the electrodes.
Audiometry
Description of Test:
The audiogram is a test that studies hearing. It is conducted in a soundproof chamber to avoid any interference with the noise in the room. Earphones are placed tightly over the patient’s ears. Different tones are presented to each ear and the patient signals the examiner when the sound is heard.
The test usually includes a tympanometry that studies the eardrums and a study of acoustic reflexes that examines the response of the small muscles in the middle ear to the sound.
These tests are painless and usually can be performed in about one hour (1 hr).
Neuropsychological Testing
Complex Higher Cortical Function Testing
Description of Test:
These tests study the high functions of the brain such as intelligence, memory, fine motor coordination, and ability to solve problems. Through these tests your physician can detect changes to damage to the brain that may not be found by any other means. The neuropsychological test battery is painless and requires approximately four to five hours of testing.
These tests are important to diagnose different conditions in the brain and to assess the degree of damage from a head injury. The information provided by these tests allows your physician to adequately assess and plan your rehabilitation.
Neurodevelopmental Sessions
Description of Test:
Everyone is different and therefore reacts differently to disease, treatments, medications, and stress. For this reason it is important to dedicate time to getting to know you as a person and understand how your pain is affecting your life. This information is crucial for proper management of your illness.
