Nervous Stystem Procedures

Question 1

Neurologist

Answer 1

• A physician specializing in diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves
• Does not do surgery

Question 2

Lumbar (spinal) puncture or tap (LP)

Answer 2

• Introducing a needle between the lower bony vertebrae of our spinal column allows a physician to sample the fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), surrounding the brain and spinal cord
• Lab tests on the fluid are used for diagnostic purposes such as presence of bacteria in meningitis, special proteins in multiple sclerosis, or blood cells

Question 3

Brain scan

Answer 3

• Introducing a radioactive element into the blood can image possible tumors in the brain
• The radioactive dose is very low and detectable only with special, very sensitive instruments that are much more sophisticated than the old Geiger counters

Question 4

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 4

• End of the word (-graphy) = An image (in this case, a written recording) of the brain’s electrical activity
• Used to diagnose different types of seizure disorders such as epilepsy, brain tumors, and are used in sleep research to identify stages of sleep

Question 5

Computed tomography (CT)

Answer 5

• Specialized X-ray machine that takes multiple images of a body area from different angles and has a computer that integrates the multiple images into “slices” of the body
• The resolution is much better than standard X-rays and there is better differentiation of types of tissue (bone, air, solid organ)

Question 6

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer 6

• Although the image produces the “slices” through the body seen by CT, no X-rays are involved
• The patients body is placed in a strong magnetic field
• Radio pulses affect the resonance or “spin” of atoms in the tissues
• A computer analyzes this information to show subtle differences in tissue molecular structure producing very high resolution and better differentiation of soft tissue, such as a tumor within the liver