Diagnostic Tests

X-Ray of the blood vessels in the brain after a contrast medium has been injected. Used to dx a CVA

• Plain X-Ray

• MRI

• cerebral angiography

• CT Scan

Record of the electrical impulses in the brain used to dx neurological conditions of the brain

• cerebral angiography

• electroencephalogram

• lumbar puncture

• X-Ray

Insertion of a needle between 2 lumbar vertebrae to remove a sample of CSF for evaluation

• lumbar puncture/spinal tap

• mental status exam

• EEG

• X-Ray

X-Ray of spinal cord is done after a contrast is injected to dx. problems in the spinal canal

• MRI

• reflex testing

• myelogram

• spinal tap

Nuclear medicine test that uses a CT to dx. CVA or brain conditions

• EEG

• lumbar puncture

• myelogram

• positron emission tomography

Using electrodes and needles the speed of electrical impulses travel through a nerve.

• EEG

• nerve conduction velocity

• myelogram

• CT scan

A part of the body is tapped to measure the presence and strength of muscular reflexes

• PET

• EEG

• reflexes

• MRI

Reflex test on the plantar surface of the foot where the toes will curl. Child older than 2 or adult with a positive test indicates a disorder of the brain or nervous system

• babinski sign

• reflex

• PET

• EEG

Involuntary muscle contractions that occur when certain tendons like the patella are tapped with hammer

• myelogram

• deep tendon reflexes

• EEG

• angiography