- Referrals are sometimes needed, sometimes they are not. Insurance does cover these tests in most situations, but each insurance needs to be checked, and referrals may be required.
- We offer evening hours, and flexible scheduling.
- Each test takes 30-60 minutes depending on the condition that is being tested for, and results are not available immediately, a follow up appointment is required either with the neurologist at the center, or with your own doctor who will be responsible for reviewing results with you.
- Ambulatory and video EEG are tests that evaluate brain activity over 24-72 hours, and require that you wear the equipment home. This is a special test that usually requires more authorization from insurance than a routine EEG, but we do offer this service.
EEG (electroencephalogram): An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to find problems related to electrical activity of the brain. An EEG tracks and records brain wave patterns. Small metal discs with thin wires (electrodes) are placed on the scalp, and then send signals to a computer to record the results. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a noninvasive test that records electrical patterns in your brain. The test is used to help diagnose conditions such as seizures, epilepsy, head injuries, dizziness, headaches, brain tumors, brain fog, and sleeping problems.
VNG (videonystagmography): VNG testing is used to determine if a vestibular (inner ear) disease may be causing a balance or dizziness problem, and is one of the only tests available today that can decipher between a unilateral (one ear) and bilateral (both ears) vestibular loss. VNG testing is a series of tests designed to document a person’s ability to follow visual objects with their eyes and how well the eyes respond to information from the vestibular system. This test also addresses the functionality of each ear and if a vestibular deficit may be the cause of a dizziness or balance problem. To monitor the movements of the eyes, infrared goggles are placed around the eyes to record eye movements during testing. VNG testing is non-invasive, and only minor discomfort is felt by the patients during testing as a result of wearing goggles. Appointments usually last about 1.5 hours, and testing is covered by all insurances.
TCD Test: TCD is a noninvasive and painless ultrasound technique that uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow (blood circulation) in and around the brain. There is no special contrast or radiation involved in the test. Physicians recommend this test to determine if there is anything happening in the blood vessels that is affecting blood flow to the brain.
EMG/NCS: NCS stands for nerve conduction studies, and is the first portion of the test typically done before the EMG, where the nerves themselves are tested. An electromyography (EMG) is a technique used to measure the electrical activity of muscles both at rest and during contraction. An EMG detects the electrical potential generated by muscle cells when the cells are electrically or neurologically activated.
Why is an EMG/NCS done?
- To find diseases that damage muscle tissue, nerves or neuromuscular junctions (junctions between nerve and muscle).
- To find the cause of weakness, paralysis or muscle twitching, numbness and tingling.
Diseases that can be detected with an EMG/NCS:
- “Pinched” nerves (sometimes caused by disk herniation in the spine)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Neuropathy
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Myasthenia gravis (MG)