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Neurology: a critical part of a medical evaluation

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A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system. This includes, but is not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), concussion, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. A child, or pediatric, neurologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of neurologic disorders in children from the neonatal period through adolescence. Some of the conditions overlap with those seen by adult neurologists, and others are unique to the younger population.

Child neurologists treat many of the same common conditions found in adults such as migraine, epilepsy, stroke, and Tourette’s. They are also trained in conditions related to neurogenetics and developmental problems.

WHAT DOES A NEUROLOGIST DO?

Neurologists are highly trained clinicians capable of diagnosing complex conditions through detailed history and physical examination, including testing of mental status, vision, speech, strength, sensation, coordination, reflexes, and gait. Even as medicine becomes more dependent on technology, the neurological exam will remain a critical component of the patient’s evaluation.

Some common neurologic tests used to complete the evaluation include:

Computed tomography (CT) or computer-assisted tomography (CAT) scans

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (NCS/EMG)

Lumbar puncture (LP) for cerebral spinal fluid analysis

Neurologists are different from neurosurgeons as they do not perform brain or spinal cord surgery. However, neurologists and neurosurgeons work closely together for several conditions, sometimes even in the operating room together.

General neurologists perform various procedures including LP and NCS/EMG. Subspecialty-trained neurologists also perform intraoperative brain and spine monitoring, autonomic testing, endovascular procedures including angiograms and coiling of aneurysms, botulinum toxin injections, and skin and muscle biopsies.

The RMCHCS Neurology Department offers adult and child neurology consultation, electroencephalography (EEG); nerve conduction study (NCS); electromyography (EMG) vagus nerve stimulator (VNS); programming for epilepsy botox treatment; and cervical paraspinal injection for craniocervical pain.

The Neurology Department has been in existence since board certified neurologist Dr. Flor J. Caballar-Gonzaga joined the hospital in 1997.