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Neurophysiology is the study of the nervous system and the diagnosis of conditions that affect it. The nervous system comprises of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
Common conditions include migraines, headaches, epilepsy, strokes, tumours, back and leg pain and multiple sclerosis. Neurophysiology is a medical specialty that studies the relationship between the brain and the peripheral nervous system.
Some of the common concerns for seeing a neurophysiologist are:
The type of neurophysiological treatment you will receive will depend on your symptoms. Your consultant will assess your condition and give you their specialist opinion. If further diagnostic tests or treatment are required, these will be explained fully during your consultation.
The EEG is an aid to the diagnosis and classification of epilepsy, detecting abnormal electrical disturbances which may arise from a number of conditions such as space occupying lesions, vascular disease, encephalitis, atrophy and metabolic disorders.
An ambulatory EEG monitor provides continuous monitoring, and allows the patient to go home whilst being monitored. You can be monitored for a maximum of 72 hours at home however, it may be necessary for you to return to the hospital during this period to ensure the electrodes are well connected and to replace the monitor batteries if required.
A Consultant Physician may request an EEG after a night of sleep deprivation depending on the clinical history of the patient. This type of EEG would normally be requested if the routine EEG has not provided any clear diagnostic features.
One of the major uses of VEP is the diagnosis of demyelination, which can cause a marked increase in the latency of the pattern VEP. As the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is dependent on evidence of multiple sites of demyelination, pattern VEPs can be used in conjunction with auditory and somatosensory evoked potential studies.
Less commonly used since the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the BSEP is an indicator of the functional integrity of the auditory pathway and can be used to investigate retro cochlear auditory pathway disorders, such as acoustic neuromas. It is commonly used in conjunction with other evoked potential studies in order to aid the diagnosis of demyelination.
SSEPs are often requested in conjunction with VEPs and BSEPs, again to provide evidence of demyeliation. They are also used to aid the diagnosis of cord compression and for the assessment of spinal injuries.
Nerve conduction studies are used in the diagnosis of nerve entrapments (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) and peripheral and diabetic neuropathies. They can also provide valuable prognostic information following trauma to the nerve.
An EMG, where clinically appropriate, is usually performed alongside a nerve conduction study. Muscle activity is recorded using a small concentric needle. Characteristic abnormalities may be found with neuropathic disorders.
Together, you and your Consultant can decide the best route for you and develop a bespoke treatment package to achieve optimum results. If you would like speak to a specialist, please call us directly or book your appointment online.
If you would like to learn more about the treatments our specialists can offer, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.