UT Southwestern Medical Center’s electrodiagnostic services can accurately diagnosis a patient’s condition, as well as establish the appropriate rehabilitation plan for the patient’s illness. The physician uses the results of electrodiagnostic studies to evaluate the patient’s nerve or muscle function and how this may be contributing to any numbness, pain or weakness the patient may be experiencing.

Depending on the patient’s condition, a physician may prescribe one or more electrodiagnostic examinations to determine how muscle or nerve damage may be contributing to the patient’s symptoms. Some of the more commonly prescribed electrodiagnostic tests include an electromyographic (EMG) exam, a nerve conduction study and an evoked potential study. UT Southwestern’s caring and compassionate specialists will thoroughly explain and discuss the testing procedures and make patients comfortable during the course of the examination.

Some of the electrodiagnostics performed at UT Southwestern include:

• Auditory evoked potential (AEP) –auditory signals are presented to the ears to detect hearing problems
• Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) – auditory signals are transmitted to the ears to detect brain stem problems
• Electroencephalography (EEG) – electrodes (electrical measuring devices) are attached to the scalp to measure brain functions
• Electromyography (EMG) – electrodes are placed on the skin’s surface or in the form of tiny needles to measure activity in the muscles
• Electroretinogram (ERG) – anesthetic drops are placed in the eyes and electrodes are used to detect a loss of cells in the retina
• Nerve conduction studies (NCS) – electrodes are used to measure activity in the nerves
• Somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) – EEG electrodes measure the brain’s response to a stimulus applied to the skin
• Visual-evoked potential (VEP) – EEG electrodes measure the brain’s response to a flash of light or a visual pattern

Our electrodiagnostic specialists provide expert and compassionate care at one of the nation’s pre-eminent heath-care facilities. At UT Southwestern, our team approach to evaluate patients’ conditions and prescribe the most effective therapies available will make a valuable difference in each patient’s rehabilitation.