Clinical Neurophysiology

What is Clinical Neurophysiology…?

It is diagnostic speciality which has evolved from neurology. It is mainly focused on recording and clinically interpreting electrical activity from the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles to diagnose disorders of the central and peripheral nerves systems.

Clinical Neurophysiologist is a specialized consultant neurophysician who performs electro diagnostic tests; interpret results in a correct clinical context providing accurate diagnoses

What are the tests performed…?

Electromyography (EMG), Nerve conduction studies (NCS)

They are diagnostic tests of peripheral nerve system, especially useful in diagnosing diseases in nerve roots, plexuses, peripheral nerves and muscles. These tests also help to localise the lesion site, exclude alternate diagnoses, reveal unsuspected diagnoses, and assess severity, time frame and prognosis of lesions.

Eg: -

• Radiculopathies

• Nerve Injuries

• Entrapment neuropathies – carpal tunnel syndrome

• Peripheral neuropathies – axonal, demyelinating neuropathies

• Muscle diseases – myopathies
  
  

Electroencephalography (EEG)

It records the electrical activity of the brain using scalp electrodes. It is mainly useful in diagnosing and evaluation seizures. It is also used to diagnose sleep disorders, coma, encephalitis, encephalopathy and neurodegenerative diseases.

Video EEG Telemetry Monitoring

Long term monitoring of EEG with video recording to evaluate undiagnosed seizure like events and screening for epilepsy surgery.

Evoked Potential Studies

There are electrical potentials produced by nervous system in response to specific stimuli.

Eg:-

• Visual evoked potentials
• Auditory evoked potentials
• Somatosensory evoked potentials

They are used for diagnosis of diseases affecting respective sensory pathways.

Botulinum toxin clinic

Evaluation and injection of Botulinum toxin for various movement disorders and spasticity due to stroke, cerebral palsy etc.

Annual Statistics

How to make a referral

The referral could be made by any consultant through a government hospital. The referral should indicate the patient’s identification details, the clinic or BHT number relevant brief clinical summary, differential diagnosis or clinical question that needs to be answered by the study and the consultant’s signature.