EMG stands for Electromyography which means electrical analysis of muscle. It is a technique which is combined with nerve conduction studies (NCS) to analyze disorders of nerve and muscle. It is known as EMG but it also includes the nerve conduction part. Typical conditions where EMG/NCS are used are: carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, sciatica, ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, foot drop, myopathy, ALS, myasthenia gravis, brachial plexus injuries, Guillain Barre syndrome, numbness or weakness of unknown cause.
* Our office provides timely, accurate EMGs and nerve conduction studies in a comfortable setting
* Studies carefully performed by a Neurologist with Board certification and fellowship in Neurology and EMG
* Cutting edge,full-featured EMG machine
* Same-day reports provided to the patient and the referring doctor
* All needles and stick-on electrodes are single-use disposable
The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine's policy is that an appropriately trained doctor should do all needle EMG testing. A trained assistant or technologist under a doctor's supervision can do the nerve conduction studies part only.
This test basically studies how well and fast an electrical current travels through the nerve. This is done by applying a harmless electrical shock to the nerve and recording its response. These shocks cause an instantaneous, mild, tingling feeling.
For this part of the test, a small, thin needle is used to study the muscles. The needles are disposable and a new needle is used for each patient. Only the necessary muscles will be tested. Some pain from needle insertion, similar to a blood draw, can be felt.
The tests usually take 20 to 90 minutes depending on the case. You can do any of your normal activities, like eating, driving, and exercising, before and after the tests. There are no lasting side effects and no medication is used prior or during the test and no sedation is required.
Tell the EMG doctor if you are taking aspirin, blood thinners (like Coumadin®), have an implanted cardiac defibrillator, or have hemophilia. Take a bath or shower to remove oil from your skin. Do not use body lotion on the day of the test. If you have myasthenia gravis, ask your EMG doctor if you should take any medications before the test.
EEG stands for electroencephalography, which is the study of the brain's tiny electrical signals generated in the brain cells. These electrical signals can be detected and recorded by the EEG machine. The EEG test is painless and harmless. (The EEG machine records electrical signals coming from your brain - it does not put any electricity into your brain or body.) You may be advised to have an EEG if you have had symptoms which may be due to a seizure (Old words for seizure are convulsion or 'fit'.), syncope or loss of consciousness, disorientation and memory loss, just to list few symptoms.
The operator will attach several small patches (electrodes) to your scalp. Wires from the electrodes are connected to the EEG machine. The machine will record those signals. The test takes about 30-40 minutes. The electrodes are removed at the end of the test.
For the duration of the test you may be asked to sit in a chair or lie on a couch. At some point you may be asked to blink lots of times, or to breathe deeply. These can sometimes trigger patterns of electrical activity in the brain which are associated with certain types of epilepsy.
Freshly shampooed, dry hair with no hair spray, cream or oil on your scalp is required for this test, as well as minimal or no make-up or cologne. Barrettes, hairpins, etc. will be removed before testing.
If your test is scheduled as a sleep deprived EEG, you are to stay awake for a minimum of 24 hours prior to the test. Do not have any caffeine (coffee, tea, some sodas, & chocolate) after 12 midnight.
Evoked potentials are painless tests that check the nerve pathways through the spinal cord or from the eyes and ears. The signals for these tests can come from small electrical shocks, light pulses, or clicks of sound in the ears. The nerve responses are recorded over the scalp and other areas of skin.
The tests usually take 20 to 90 minutes. You can do any of your normal activities, like eating, driving, and exercising, before and after the tests. There are no lasting side effects.
* Please wash your hair before you come to the hospital and do not use any hair products (gel, hairspray etc).
* Take your medication as normal unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
* Eat normal.
* Bring a list of medication that you take with you.
* Please wear comfortable, baggy clothes.