Neurodiagnostic Testing Services

Summa Health provides a wide range of diagnostic tests and procedures that are vital tools to help physicians confirm or rule out the presence of a neurological disorder or other medical condition. Our neurodiagnostic services provide specialized diagnostic tests that assess anatomy or functioning of the brain, spinal cord, muscles, nerves and blood flow.

If you are experiencing symptoms that suggest a neurological condition, talk to your doctor about ordering one of these tests to confirm a diagnosis. Some common ones include:

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Detects problems in the electrical activity of the brain. This painless procedure uses small, flat metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp to detect electrical activity in the brain. An EEG determines changes in brain activity that may be useful in diagnosing brain disorders such as epilepsy.

Electromyography (EMG)

Assesses the health of the muscles and the nerves that control them. During an EMG, a thin needle with an electrode is inserted through the skin into a muscle. The electrode records the electrical activity in the nerve and muscle and transmits it to a receiver that displays the EMG results on a printout or computer screen. An EMG can help diagnose disorders that affect the muscles, like muscular dystrophy and nerve disorders.

Electronystagmogram (ENG)

Measures normal eye movement and involuntary rapid eye movements known as nystagmus. An ENG is performed to determine whether there is damage or a problem in the inner ear, brain, or nerves connecting them. During an ENG electrodes are attached to the face near the eyes to record eye movements.

Nerve Conduction Testing (NCT)

Locates damage to the peripheral nervous system, which includes all the nerves that lead away from the brain and spinal cord and the smaller nerves that branch out from those nerves. Nerve conduction studies are often used to help find nerve disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Ultrasound

Uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow (blood circulation) in and around the brain. A noninvasive and painless technique, it coverts the sound waves into images that represent blood flow speed and resistance within the vessels.

Sleep Tests

We offer several diagnostic tests performed by a qualified technician to help diagnose a number of sleep disorders. The tests are non-invasive and do not use any needles, injectable dyes, IVs or shots. Examples include:

Nocturnal Polysomnogram/Baseline Diagnostic Study (NPSG)
Positive Airway Pressure Titration Study (CPAP, BIPAP)
Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV/VPAP)
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MLST)

Vestibular (Inner Ear) Testing

Helps determine if there’s an inner ear abnormality causing ongoing dizziness, vertigo and imbalance. The Summa Health Vestibular Diagnostic Testing Lab, one of the most comprehensive vestibular labs in Northeast Ohio, offers the latest advancements in diagnostic technology, including rotary chair testing, caloric testing and videonystagmography (VNG).

Vestibular Testing Questionnaire

Answer the following questions by stating yes or no.

In the past month…

Have you felt dizzy (lightheaded, giddy, whirling, spinning, faint)?
Have you been imbalanced (nearly falling, veering, unstable on your feet)?
Has dizziness made you stop driving your car or change your driving habits?
Has imbalance caused you to hold on to things (furniture, walls etc.) to steady yourself?
Has dizziness or imbalance made you change how fast you get out of bed?
Have you become careful on how fast you move your head or what position you put it in (looking up or down)?

In the past year…

Have you fallen?
Have you had to use a cane or other supportive device when walking?
Have you noticed any difficulty moving around as quickly as you used to?
Have your friends or family expressed concern about your sense of balance or mobility?

If you answered YES to a majority of these questions, please ask your Primary Care Provider about ordering a Vestibular Test.

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