Neurodiagnostics

The use of tools to diagnose seizures and neuromuscular disorders such as narcolepsy and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Clinical Neurophysiology: A Subspecialty of Neurology

Epilepsy

Symptoms include:sudden speech arrest with blank staring, convulsions of the arms and legs with tongue biting and urinary incontinence and rhythmic movements of the face, arm or leg

Carpal Tunnel

Symptoms are Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are pain and/or numbness of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger, grip weakness.

Neuropathy

 Symptoms include symmetric numbness and tingling that begins in the feet and over a long period of time can progress further up the legs, burning pain in the feet, and unstable gait.

 

    The Key to Diagnosis

    Key to the diagnosis of many neurological disorders are special tools that help measure how different aspects of the nervous system works. Electroencephalography (EEG) measures brain activity and helps determine the presence of any abnormalities that can predispose to a person to seizures. The electromyography/nerve conduction study (EMG/NCS) measures how well peripheral nerves and muscles are working. Clinical neurophysiology, a subspecialty of neurology, focuses on using these two tools to diagnose seizures and neuromuscular disorders such as neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome.

     

    Types of EEG available for outpatients not admitted to the hospital:

    • Routine EEG Testing – using recording wires with electrodes, brain waves are monitored for approximately 20 minutes to identify seizures or a risk for seizures.
    • Prolonged EEG Testing – when routine testing is not adequate, a longer duration of testing may be necessary to identify seizures or a risk of seizures.

     

    Types of EEG available for outpatients not admitted to the hospital:

    • Comprehensive Epilepsy Monitoring Unit – we reserve this test for patients who may qualify for epilepsy surgery or for those whose diagnosis of seizures is unclear or debilitating. These patients are expected to stay in the hospital until enough events are captured to assure their physician that the correct diagnosis and treatment plan are in place. In most cases, patients remain in the epilepsy monitoring unit for three to five days.
    • Electrodiagnostic Testing – testing for disorders of the nerves, muscles or neuromuscular junctions.

     

     

    Electromyography (EMG) & Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) 

    These tests can be used to differentiate a problem with the nerves (such as neuropathy) from a problem of the muscles (such as myopathy). Since these tests can be difficult to interpret, they are designated as physician-dependent procedures. Although the tests have technical limitations, they are very useful in detecting conditions that may benefit from specialized treatment, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP).

     

    EMG

    Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons). Motor neurons transmit electrical signals that cause muscles to contract. An EMG translates these signals into graphs, sounds or numerical values that a specialist interprets.
    An EMG uses tiny devices called electrodes to transmit or detect electrical signals. During a needle EMG, a needle electrode inserted directly into a muscle records the electrical activity in that muscle. A nerve conduction study (NCS), another part of an EMG, uses surface electrodes — electrodes taped to the skin — to measure the speed and strength of signals traveling between two or more points. EMG results can reveal nerve dysfunction, muscle dysfunction or problems with nerve-to-muscle signal transmission.

     

    Evoked Potentials
    • Visual Evoked potentials – typically used to support a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis or Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic’s syndrome)
    • Auditory Evoked potentials – typically for patients with hearing loss from nerve damage.
    • Somatosensory Evoked Potentials – many uses to evaluate the CNS and Peripheral Nervous System

    Our Programs

    Concussions | Sleep | Epilepsy | Stroke | Neurodiagnostics | Neurophysiology

    Concussions

    Traumatic brain injuries that are caused by a blow to the head or body that jars or shakes the brain.

    Stroke

    A stroke is the sudden onset of focal neurological symptoms due to a sudden injury to the brain.

    Epilepsy

    A common neurological disorder that is often known to cause uncontrollable seizures.

    Sleep

    Poor sleep has been linked to several health issues which include high blood pressure, blood sugar instability and weight gain.

    Neurodiagnostics

    The use of advanced healthcare technology to diagnose seizures and other neuromuscular disorders.

    Neurophysiology

    The interface of sleep and neurology determines medical issues and disorders related to both disease and wellness. 

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    What Our Patients Have To Say About Our Healthcare Services

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    Better Health Care is Our Mission

    Concussions | Sleep | Epilepsy | Stroke | Neurodiagnostics | Neurophysiology

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    (949) 764-1843

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    16405 Sand Canyon Ave, 220
    Irvine, CA 92618

    (949) 336-8633

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    Newport Beach, CA 92663

    (949)-764-8070