Diagnostic Testing

Shown is the nerve conduction study or NCV. This test is used to measure the speed of electrical signal along the nerve pathway. Once this is done, an EMG, a test used to measure the electrical activity in the muscle at rest and during contraction, is performed. It is used to help diagnose the conditions affecting muscles, nerves and the connection between them called the neuromuscular junction. 

This is used to diagnose conditions such as motor neuron disease, neuropathy, radiculopathy and various other nerve and muscle disorders. 

An EEG records and monitors your brain signals, like tiny little messages that travel through the brain telling the body what to do. When a seizure is suspected by the neurologist, an EEG is ordered so that the doctor can see the abnormalities in the brain activity, which can be caused by various neurological conditions such as epilepsy. This test gives valuable information to understand how the brain functions in different conditions. 

Long Video EEG is used when a the regular EEG shows normal in the 45-60 minute time, but seizure activity is still suspected. Often a longer test with video monitoring is used to capture the subtle seizure activity in the brain waves in a deeper sleep state. 

(this cute pup belongs to our neurodiagnostic technician who performs our EEG's and NCV, however, we don't do EEG's on pups here in the clinic!) 

Spinal fluid analysis may be done to diagnose or treat a condition. CSF is a clear fluid that bathes and cushions the brain and spinal cord. It is continuously made and reabsorbed in the brain. CSF is made up of cells, water, proteins, sugars, and other substances that are essential to maintain balance in the nervous system. This  diagnostic test is used to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Myelitis, demyelinating disease of the nervous system and various other diseases.