A GUIDE TO NEURODIAGNOSTIC TESTING

Neurodiagnostics is the allied health care profession that records, monitors, and analyzes nervous system function to promote the effective treatment of pathologic conditions. Technologists record electrical activity arising from the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, somatosensory or motor nerve systems using a variety of techniques and instruments. Technologists prepare data and documentation for interpretation by a physician. Considerable individual initiative, reasoning skill, and sound judgment are all expected of the neurodiagnostic technologist. The most common neurodiagnostic procedures are Electroencephalogram (EEG), Evoked Potential (EP), Polysomnogram (PSG), Nerve Conduction Study (NCS), Long Term Monitoring (LTM), and Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM).

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A Guide to Neurodiagnostic Testing

Qualified Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Are credentialed; Have met a minimum education and related educational and performance standards; Meet continuing education requirements; Perform within a code of ethics and defined scope of practice; Perform under the direction of clinical leadership or a physician; Are recognized by physicians, employers, the public, governmental agencies, payers and other health care professionals; Form a national society whose activities include advocating for the profession; and Contribute to the advancement of knowledge in neuroscience.

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Electroencephalogram [EEG] – Reveals different brain patterns

The Electroencephalogram [EEG] is a recording of the on-going 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, unexplained loss of consciousness, prolonged or unexplained coma, strokes, and degenerative brain disease. EEGs are also used to evaluate the effects of head trauma or the consequences of severe infectious disease. EEG information can help doctors determine medical and surgical treatment of epilepsy. Patients having surgery on arteries in the neck or around the heart often have EEG monitoring performed during the procedure, providing the surgeon with additional information about brain function and assuring surgeons that the brain receives enough oxygen. 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. The test itself usually takes about 90 minutes and the principal role of the patient is simply to remain still, relaxed and comfortable. During the test, the patient may be asked to take repeated deep breaths [hyperventilate] and/or be shown a strobe light that flashes at different speeds. It is very helpful to record sleep, so 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 is useful in diagnosing patients with intermittent or infrequent disturbances as well as in the diagnosis of seizures and other neurological disorders, such as unexplained coma.

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring – Monitors nervous system during surgery

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring [IONM] is the use of neurophysiological monitoring techniques during surgery to provide information to the surgeon about nervous system integrity. The use of IONM guards against neurological complications during surgery and helps reduce the risk of negative surgical outcomes such as paralysis or stroke. IONM is used to monitor neurosurgical procedures and orthopedic procedures, including spinal surgery for scoliosis, tumors, and aneurysms; vascular surgeries; acoustic neuroma surgery; and carotid endarterectomy. Otolaryngologists use intraoperative neuromonitoring to monitor cranial nerve function during ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries.

Polysomnograms [PSG] – Recording during sleep

The Polysomnogram [PSG] is a recording during sleep that uses EEG and other physiologic monitors to evaluate sleep and sleep disorders, such as loud snoring, difficulty staying awake during the day, falling asleep at inappropriate times, insomnia, and uncontrollable urge to move one’s legs. Physicians use polysomnograms to identify dysfunction in sleep/wake cycles, to diagnose breathing disorders during sleep, and to evaluate treatment of these disorders.

Evoked Potentials [EP] – Record electrical activity in response to stimulation

Evoked Potentials [EP] 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. This test is commonly performed by the technologist during surgery on the spine to help the surgeon make sure nerves are not damaged during the operation. Evoked potentials also are performed in a clinical neurodiagnostic laboratory, using either earphones to stimulate the hearing pathway, a checkerboard pattern on a television screen to stimulate the visual pathway, or a small electrical current to stimulate a nerve in the arm or leg.

Nerve Conduction Studies [NCS] – Record stimulated nerve response time

Nerve Conduction Studies [NCS] evaluate electrical potentials from peripheral nerves. Technologists stimulate the nerve with an electrical current and then record how long it takes the nerve impulse to reach the muscle. Patients referred for NCS tests suffer from nerve conditions which produce numbness, tingling, muscle pain, muscle weakness, muscle cramping, abnormal movements, pain or loss of sensation, or neurological diseases affecting primarily the feet, legs, hands, arms, back, and neck.

A good resource for information about neurological disorders is available from the American Academy of Neurology [AAN]. They maintain a list of advocacy groups, as well as patient education literature accessible on-line.