Treating
you as a whole person means we'll work with you
to discover the form of treatment that's best for
you. To accomplish this, we'll count on you to provide
detailed and honest answers to our questions throughout
your treatment. By working together in this way,
your treatment process can progress as quickly and
smoothly as possible.
We
know that understanding what is happening helps
patients to feel at ease. So we'll explain the purpose
of any test we ask you to take. We'll tell you what
we think is needed and explain whenever we plan
a course of treatment or make changes in your existing
treatment plan.
If
you require surgery, we'll talk with you about what
will be done and why, detailing the benefits and
risks, as well as the possibly of alternative therapies.
We'll answer all your questions and, if you feel
uncomfortable about surgical treatment, we'll work
with you to overcome your discomfort.
To
acquaint you with some of our common procedures,
here is a brief description of the state-of-the-art
tests we most often use to diagnose our patients:
-
The
CAT Scan
provides a computer image of an interior cross-section
of the body. The brain and the spinal cord are
two areas commonly diagnosed by CAT Scan.
-
The
MRI provides a computerized image
similar to the CAT Scan, but utilizes magnetic
waves to produce a picture of the body's interior.
-
The
EEG
monitors the functioning of brain waves and
provides a picture of the brain's electrical
activity in the form of lines on rolls of graph
paper.
-
The
EMG
and NCV
both measure the functioning of the peripheral
nerves and muscles. They are commonly used to
diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome.
-
The
Myelogram
provides detailed images of nerve roots and
canals. This technique involves the injection
of water-soluble contrast into the spinal canal
followed by CT/XRAY. Used when MRI data is insufficient
for diagnosis.
- The
Arteriogram
is used in the study of cerebral vessels. A catheter
is inserted into the femoral artery. Dye is injected
to enable visualization of the vessels in the
neck and brain. Used to locate aneurysms, tumors
and carotid stenosis.
For
more information about tests often used in Neurosurgical
cases, visit www.medicinenet.com
