Electrodiagnostic Testing (EDX)
We at TLC are committed to providing you and your patients with the most reliable electrodiagnostic testing, professional interpretations and medical evaluations. The services we provide to medical and healthcare facilities are designed to assist the treating physician in accurately diagnosing a wide variety of neurological conditions, and we have an on-staff neurologist available for consultations.
Your patients will benefit by being tested in the comfort of your office, eliminating the need for them to travel to a hospital, testing facility or outside specialist, which requires a scheduling wait of several weeks. Patients will experience having their medical condition accurately diagnosed in a timely fashion, allowing for more precise treatment and better health management, while your office maintains control and complete autonomy over their care. Our results are returned to you within a matter of days.
Electrodiagnostic testing (EDX) is a significantly useful diagnostic tool for establishing the type of neuropathy presented by a patient and its extent. It can distinguish the presence of a new disease from an old one and identify an unrelated problem, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. EDX testing can even pinpoint a pattern of electrophysiologic abnormalities, indicative of diabetic neuropathy, long before diabetes has been recognized clinically. Many times diabetes occurs without symptoms or with a very gradual development of symptoms. In fact, early diabetes symptoms can be so subtle, the patient may have diabetes for months or even years and not know it. By quantifying neuropathy in a patient, a subsequent diagnosis of diabetes may lead to early intervention and appropriate care. If periodic testing is done, the changes in amplitude and conduction velocity can be used to track the course of the disease and the patient’s response to treatment. By utilizing our services, your practice does not need to purchase and maintain expensive diagnostic equipment as well as the personnel needed to effectively administer EDX studies. TLC offers an extensive battery of EDX testing. The patient history, physical exam findings and clinical indications will determine which tests are necessary. Our physicians can assist in the decision upon reviewing the medical documentation and evaluating the patient.
TLC OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC (EDX) STUDIES WHICH INCLUDE:
NCV — NERVE CONDUCTION VELOCITY
NCV’s are the test of choice to evaluate motor and sensory nerves of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This test measures the speed and strength of electrical signals that travel through both sensory and motor nerves and determines the speed in which the electrical information is transmitted through these nerves.
SSEP — SOMATOSENSORY EVOKED POTENTIAL
SSEP’s test the integrity of sensory pathways, both in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) as well as the central nervous system (CNS). NCV’s do not provide this sensory information. SSEP’s evaluate the status of the spinal nerve roots, the spinal cord, the brainstem as well as the peripheral nerves.
VEP — VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIAL
VEP’s evaluate the visual system as it transmits stimuli to the brain.
EMG — ELECTROMYOGRAPHY
EMG is used to evaluate the integrity of skeletal muscle. It’s used to detect loss of neurons innervating a particular muscle and is the only invasive test from the battery of EDX tests available, as it requires the use of a needle electrode placed subcutaneously into muscle.
BAER — BRAIN AUDITORY EVOKED RESPONSE
BAER’s evaluate the auditory system, measuring auditory acuity and brain function.
LATE POTENTIALS
H-REFLEX
The H-reflex is the electrical equivalent of the tendon tap reflex. This test sends a signal to the spinal cord and a reflexive signal is sent back down. The H-reflex is very useful in evaluating S1 radiculopathies as is also indicated when trying to rule out C6-7 radiculopathies.
F-WAVE
The F-wave tests the proximal portion of a motor nerve. NCV’s reveal information about nerves distally, i.e., at the wrist. F-wave studies allow the same nerve to be evaluated centrally, i.e., at the cord level.
