Neurological Diagnostic Tests

What is cerebral angiography used for?

• Invasive

• Identifies narrowing/blockage of cerebral arteries

• May detect:

  • CVA

  • Brain tumor

  • Aneurysm

  • Vascular malformation

• Uses contrast dye + X-rays

What is a CT scan used for in neurological testing?

• Typically noninvasive

• Provides cross-sectional images

• Useful for:

  • Vascular malformations

  • Tumors

  • Cysts

  • Hemorrhage

  • Head injury

  • Herniated discs

  • Spinal stenosis

What is discography?

• Invasive

• Evaluates spinal disc integrity/pathology

• Contrast dye injected into disc

• CT imaging may be used

What is an EEG used for?

• Noninvasive

• Measures electrical activity of brain

• Commonly used to assess:

  • Seizure disorders

  • Brain death

  • Brain tumors

  • Brain damage

  • Inflammation

  • Degenerative brain disorders

What is electromyography (EMG) used for?

• Assesses nerve and muscle dysfunction

• May evaluate:

  • Muscle pathology

  • Nerve pathology

  • Spinal cord disease

  • Denervated muscle

  • Lower motor neuron injury

What are evoked potentials used for?

• Noninvasive

• Measures time for an impulse to reach brain

• Uses:

  • Auditory stimuli

  • Visual stimuli

  • Proprioceptive stimuli

• May help identify:

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Brain tumors

  • Acoustic neuroma

  • Spinal cord injury

What is MRI used for in neurological testing?

• Typically noninvasive

• Detailed images of:

  • Tissues

  • Organs

  • Bones

  • Nerves

• Useful for:

  • Brain/spinal cord tumors

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Head trauma

What is myelography?

• Invasive

• Contrast dye placed into spinal canal

• Uses X-ray imaging

• May evaluate:

  • Subarachnoid space pathology

  • Spinal nerve injury

  • Herniated discs

  • Fractures

  • Spinal tumors

• Headache is a significant post-procedure risk

What is nerve conduction velocity (NCV) testing?

• Noninvasive

• Stimulates peripheral nerve

• Measures nerve conduction/action potentials

• Useful for:

  • Peripheral neuropathy

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Demyelination

  • Peripheral nerve compression

What is a PET scan used for?

• Brain imaging

• Assesses:

  • Brain activity

  • Metabolism

  • Blood flow

• May identify:

  • Circulatory pathology

  • Metabolic dysfunction

  • Tumors

  • Changes after injury or drug abuse

What is a lumbar puncture used for?

• Invasive

• Needle inserted below spinal cord

• Collects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

• Commonly performed at L3–L4

• May assess:

  • Hemorrhage

  • Inflammation

  • Infection

  • Meningitis

  • Tumor