Clinical neurophysiology
Management:
Prof. Dr. med. S. Körner
Senior Physician
Head of Clinical Neurophysiology
Neurophysiology Laboratory
The neurophysiology laboratory is a training center of the German Society for Clinical Neurophysiology and Functional Imaging (DGKN)
Staff members:
Mr. S. Endruweit, Medical Technical Assistant
Ms. P. Gerstenberger, Medical Technical Assistant
Ms. M. Wenzel, Medical Technical Assistant
Ms. C. Wilmsmann, Medical Technical Assistant
In our neurophysiology laboratory we offer a comprehensive range of examination methods:
- Electromyography (EMG)
In electromyography, muscles are examined using a fine needle. The electrical activity in the muscle is recorded when the muscle is at rest, slightly activated and strongly activated. This procedure can be used to detect diseases of the nerves with resulting damage to the muscles (neurogenic damage) and diseases of the muscle itself (myopathy).
- Electroneurography (NLG)
In electroneurography, peripheral nerves are electrically stimulated and the response potentials are recorded and evaluated. Motor fibers are usually examined with conduction over the muscle and sensory fibers with conduction over the nerve. The nerve conduction velocity and the amplitude of the response potentials are measured. This method can be used to examine bottleneck syndromes such as carpal tunnel or ulnar groove syndrome. In addition, polyneuropathies can be diagnosed and characterized (motor, sensory, axonal, demyelinating).
- Evoked potentials (EP)
Evoked potentials are usually the recording of a stimulus response in the brain following stimulation of a sensory organ. The sensation of touch (somato-sensory evoked potentials (SSEP)), the conduction of the visual pathway (visual evoked potentials (VEP)) and the auditory pathway (auditory evoked potentials (AEP)) can be examined. In addition, the central motor pathway (pyramidal tract) can be examined using cortical magnetic stimulation (MEP). These procedures are used in particular in cases of suspected diseases of the central nervous system that can cause a disruption of these pathways.
- Reflexes
The blink reflex is a brainstem reflex. Electrical stimulation is used to test the function of the protective reflex for the eye. It can be used to localize peripheral lesions of cranial nerves V and VII as well as central lesions in the brain stem. The bulbocavernosus reflex is used together with the pudendal SEP to diagnose erectile dysfunction.
- Repetitive stimulation
Repetitive stimulation or serial stimulation of nerves can be used to detect disorders of neuromuscular transmission at the motor end plate. The procedure is used to diagnose load-dependent muscle weaknesses such as myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton myasthenia syndrome (LEMS).
- Muscle and nerve sonography
Using ultrasound of the nerves, damage to the nerves can be visualized directly in the image. For example, nerve compressions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar groove syndrome can be reliably diagnosed or electrophysiological functional results can be added. Tumours and nerve injuries as well as generalized nerve changes, particularly in inflammatory or hereditary polyneuropathies, can also be visualized using modern high-frequency ultrasound probes. Ultrasound of the musculature can be used to visualize structural changes such as inflammation, dystrophies or muscle atrophy as well as involuntary muscle activity such as fasciculations, thus expanding electrophysiological diagnostics.
- Electroencephalography (EEG, Head: Prof. Dr. med. C. Trebst)
In electroencephalography, the electrical activity of the brain is recorded from the scalp using surface electrodes. The EEG is mainly used in the investigation of epileptic seizures, but also in the diagnosis of disorders of consciousness or brain death. When investigating seizure disorders, in certain cases we also carry out provocation maneuvers such as photostimulation or hyperventilation during the recording or record an EEG after sleep deprivation.
Appointments in the neurophysiology laboratory (only with a referral from a neurology specialist):
Daily from 8:00 - 10:00 am and from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at (0511) 532-2023, Fax: (0511) 532-8444