Neurologic Diagnostic Procedures – Virgin Islands

When undergoing a new and unexpected health issue, it can be difficult to know your next step. With so many different neurologic diagnostic procedures available, it can be challenging to know which test will be able to provide clarity regarding your specific health condition and help improve your quality of life. Why not seek the expertise of a specialist?

Our expert neurologists at Virgin Islands Neurology have been practicing medicine for 30 years. They have helped many patients by performing the proper tests for their needs and providing them with accurate diagnoses. Schedule an appointment to evaluate your symptoms at our office in the U.S. Virgin Islands today!

Below, you can find a brief overview of the different diagnostic procedures we offer to help diagnose various conditions.

What Are Neurologic Diagnostic Procedures?

Neurologic diagnostic procedures are used by doctors to evaluate and diagnose health conditions related to the nervous system. The findings from specialized imaging tests can help neurologists determine whether someone has a neurological disorder or another medical condition, such as abnormalities or diseases.

Depending on the specific type of test you take, the results may be delivered immediately or may take some time to be processed.

Diagnostic Procedures

There are many neurologic diagnostic procedures that can be used to diagnose various conditions. Below you will find a list of some of those diagnostic procedures.

Nerve Testing

There are a variety of nerve tests that can be performed to help diagnose your pain and discomfort. They include the following:

Electromyogram (EMG) tests are used to assess electrical nerve activity in your muscles when they are flexed or at rest. This test is used to diagnose nerve and muscle disorders, spinal nerves, motor neuron disorders, and root compression.
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests are used to diagnose nerve damage as well as the degree of damage. Specialists also use this test to evaluate certain diseases found in your muscles or nerves.
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are used to gauge the extent of nerve damage in a specific area. These studies are also used to determine the root cause of pain, numbness, or any additional nerve-related symptoms you may be experiencing.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)/Ambulatory EEG

EEGs are used to evaluate, as well as measure, the electrical activity within your brain. EEGs are used to diagnose brain-related issues, including:

Brain tumors
Stroke
Epilepsy and additional seizure disorders
Dementia
Brain injury
Sleep disorders
Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
Encephalopathy (brain dysfunction)

Evoked Potentials Studies

Patients with certain neurological disorders can benefit from state-of-the-art evoked potential studies. These may include the following:

Visual evoked potential (VEP) tests are used to help diagnose or assess issues with your vision.
Brainstorm auditory evoked response (BAER) tests are used to help diagnose multiple sclerosis and brain tumors. This test is also used to evaluate symptoms related to hearing.
Somatosensory evoked response (SSEP) tests are used to assess issues affecting your peripheral nervous system and spinal cord.

Electronystagmography (ENG) and Videonystamography (VNG)

These two tests are performed together to diagnose issues with vertigo, dizziness, and difficulty walking.

Carotid and Transcranial Doppler Studies

These studies are used to evaluate your risk of having a stroke of ischemic attack (“mini-stroke”), emboli, and other issues related to blood flow in your brain.

Additional Diagnostic Procedures That May Be Requested

There are some additional neurologic diagnostic procedures that you may request, including the following:

Ultrasound can help determine changes in the structure of soft tissues like muscles and nerves.
Angiography determines the size and location of an aneurysm or vascular malformation.
Myelograms have generally been replaced by MRI but can still be used to detect tumors in the spine or spinal cord. Also, myelograms can show if the spinal cord compression is due to herniated discs or fractures.
A spinal tap is used to detect evidence of brain hemorrhage, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions.

Depending on your specific needs, a doctor may recommend further testing, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT Scan), or Positron Emission Tomography (PET), to diagnose your condition.

Why Should You Have a Neurologic Diagnostic Procedure?

Not knowing why something is happening within your body can be very unsettling, and you deserve answers!

At Virgin Islands Neurology, we know the impact receiving an accurate diagnosis can have on your life. Schedule an appointment with our doctors in the U.S. Virgin Islands today to regain the peace of mind you’ve been waiting for!