This is a two-part study. The Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) evaluates electrical potentials from peripheral nerves. The first portion will be performed by a technologist who stimulates the nerve with an electrical current then records how long it takes the nerve impulse to reach the muscle. Patients referred for NCS tests suffer from nerve conditions which produce symptoms such as: 

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Muscle pain, weakness or cramping 

• Abnormal movements

• Pain or loss of sensation

• Neurological diseases affecting primarily the feet, legs, hands, arms, back and neck

The second portion is performed by the neurologist. Electromyography (EMG) measures the electrical response coming from the muscle using a special, thin needle.

The Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a recording of the ongoing electrical activity of the brain. An EEG is used to assist in the diagnosis of epilepsy and a variety of neurological symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Common headaches

• Dizziness

• Seizure disorders

• Convulsions

• Changes in awareness or unexplained loss of consciousness

• Prolonged or unexplained coma

• Strokes

• Degenerative brain disease

EEGs also are used in determining causes for staring spells or inattentiveness in children.

In conducting an EEG, highly sensitive monitoring equipment records the activity through electrodes that are placed at measured intervals on a patient’s scalp. The test is not painful.

Intraoperative neuromonitoring is monitoring performed during surgery, which is used to give surgeons feedback. It monitors neurological structures most at risk during surgical procedures. It provides data on the functional integrity of the nervous system, including the spinal cord, the brain, and the blood supply to those areas. Surgical procedures that receive intraoperative neuromonitoring include:

• Spinal surgery for scoliosis

• Tumors and aneurysms

• Vascular surgery

• ENT surgeries

An EEG is a recording of the ongoing electrical activity of the brain. It's used to assist in the diagnosis of epilepsy and a variety of neurological symptoms. In a sleep deprived EEG or (SD/EEG), the patient may be asked to stay awake extra hours the night before the test. All of these activities can help reveal different brain patterns that are useful for diagnosis.

The simultaneous recording of EEG and videotaped behavior over extended periods of time is referred to as long-term monitoring (LTM). It's useful in diagnosing patients with intermittent or infrequent disturbances as well as in the diagnosis of seizures and other neurological disorders. The LTM is used to assist in the diagnosis of epilepsy and a variety of neurological symptoms.

The SSEP is used to diagnose issues with the nervous system, including the spinal cord and nerves located within the body. The test works by sending electric pulses to different areas of the body and monitoring the electric activity in the brain that results. During the test, the technician attaches electrodes to the scalp and other places along the body. Small, painless electric shocks are sent to the electrodes on the body and the electrical activity in the brain is recorded.

Evoked potentials are recordings of electrical activity from the brain, spinal nerves or sensory receptors in response to specific external stimulation. Evoked potentials are helpful in evaluating a number of different neurological problems, including spinal cord injuries, hearing loss, blurred vision and blind spots, acoustic neuroma and optic neuritis. Visual evoked potentials, or VER, uses visual stimuli while brainstem auditory evoked response, or BAER, uses auditory stimuli.