Neurophysiology testing is painless and easy - it helps your doctor get answers about your brain and nervous system. Crouse Hospital offers an extensive Neurophysiology Department with a variety of testing types available to outpatients:
SUMMARY OF TESTSElectroencephalogram (EEG)
An EEG measures the electrical activity of the brain, often referred to as brain waves.
What Preparation is Needed?
Freshly shampooed, dry hair with no hairspray, cream or oil on your scalp is required for this test, as well as minimal or no make-up or cologne. (The technologist will not need to shave your head.)
If your test is scheduled as a sleep-deprived EEG, you are to stay awake for a minimum of 24 hours prior to the test. Do not have any caffeine (coffee, tea, some sodas & chocolate) after midnight.
For pediatric sleep-deprived tests, we recommend no more than three to four hours of sleep the night before the test. It is preferable that the three to four hours be from approximately 10 pm until 2 am, then keep the child awake for the rest of the night.How is the Test Done?
A technologist will measure and mark your head with a wax pen to find the precise places for recording electrodes to be placed. Each spot will then be scrubbed with a special cleanser and electrodes will be applied with a small amount of cream. You will be made as comfortable as possible in a reclining chair or bed and told to lie back with your eyes closed while the test is run. The whole test takes approximately 90 minutes.
Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP)The BAEP checks the auditory (hearing) pathway from the ears to the brain.
What Preparation is Needed?
Freshly shampooed, dry hair with no hairspray, cream or oil on your scalp is required for this test, as well as minimal or no make-up or cologne. (The technologist will not need to shave your head.)
If you wear a hearing aid please bring it with you.How is the Test Done?
A technologist will locate specific areas on your head for electrode placement. These spots will be cleaned with a special cleanser and electrodes will be applied with a small amount of cream. You will be made as comfortable as possible in a reclining chair. Headphones will be placed over your ears and the technologist will present clicking sounds to one ear at a time. Each ear will be tested twice, and the ear not being tested will have a masking or static sound. The procedure takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
Visual Evoked Potential (VEP)The VEP checks the visual pathway from the eyes to the brain.
What Preparation is Needed?
Freshly shampooed, dry hair with no hairspray, cream or oil on your scalp is required for this test, as well as minimal or no make-up or cologne. (The technologist will not need to shave your head.)
If you wear glasses please bring them with you.How is the Test Done?
A technologist will locate specific areas on your head for electrode placement. These spots will be cleaned with a special cleanser and electrodes will be applied with a small amount of cream. You will be made as comfortable as possible in a reclining chair and one eye at a time will be covered with a patch. You will then be asked to concentrate on a spot in the middle of a TV screen while a checkerboard pattern flashes on the screen. Goggles are used for children or those who are unable to concentrate on the screen. Each eye will be tested twice and the entire procedure takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEP)The SSEP checks the median or ulnar nerve pathway in your arms.
What Preparation is Needed?
Freshly shampooed, dry hair with no hairspray, cream or oil on your scalp is required for this test, as well as minimal or no make-up or cologne. (The technologist will not need to shave your head.)
How is the Test Done?
A technologist will clean several electrode sites on your head, neck and arms with a special cleanser. Electrodes will be applied with a small amount of cream. You will be made as comfortable as possible in a reclining chair and a pillow will be placed in your lap on which to rest your arms. A stimulating device will be placed on your wrist and each arm will be tested separately. A slight electrical current tests the median nerve which will cause your thumb to twitch. The stimulation lasts approximately two minutes per arm and the whole procedure takes roughly 30 minutes.
Video-Monitored Electroencephalogram (EEG)A Video-Monitored EEG measures the electrical activity of the brain, often referred to as brain waves. The brain waves are recorded simultaneously with a video of patient activity.
What Preparation is Needed?
Freshly shampooed, dry hair with no hairspray, cream or oil on your scalp is required for this test, as well as minimal or no make-up or cologne. (The technologist will not need to shave your head.)
Video monitoring is done at Crouse Hospital for up to 8 hours at a time. You will be free to move around in the testing room, eat, use the bathroom, read, etc. We ask that you bring along something to do, eg. a deck of cards, a good book, or a craft that you enjoy, and whenever possible it is helpful to have someone accompany you to the test.How is the Test Done?
A technologist will measure and mark your head with a wax pen to find the precise places for recording electrodes to be placed. Each spot will then be scrubbed with a special cleanser and electrodes will be applied with a type of paste. There is a hospital bed in the room as well as chairs, and you will be able to move around, read, or perform other quiet activities. The technologist will be available if you need anything, but your needs for privacy will be respected.
The EEG and evoked potentials are painless procedures (there is minor discomfort from the SSEP). The areas where electrodes were applied will be cleaned by the technologist but will probably feel stiff or gritty until you have a chance to rewash your hair.
Please feel free to call us with any questions at 315/470-7722.
- Staff
- Our department consists of a registered chief technologist/supervisor, two experienced staff technologists, and a board-certified electro-encephalographer who is our medical director.
- Hours
- Monday - Friday
7 am - 5 pm
- Billing & Insurance
- Neurophysiologic testing is an accepted medical procedure and is usually covered in total or in part by insurance. We participate with most insurances including Medicare, Medicaid, BC/BS CNY and others. Members of an HMO (PHP, etc.) and workers compensation may require preauthorization. We encourage you to call your health insurance carrier with specific questions regarding your coverage.
- Referrals
- Referrals for any of our services, can be made by a physician or other healthcare practitioner by simply calling the department at 470-7722.
The information we will request at that time is:
A requisition form (available on request if your practitioner does not have one) needs to be filled out by the referring practitioner. Once completed, this form can be faxed to our department at 315/470-2741.
- Type of testing ordered
- Patient's full name
- Patient's date of birth
- A symptom or diagnosis
- Patient's daytime phone number
- Patient's Social Security number
- Where we are located
- Crouse Hospital's Neurophysiology/EEG Department is located in the basement of the hospital's Irving Unit.
Outpatients report first to the Advanced Registration and Testing Center which is located in the Physician's Office Building, room 112.
Directions
From the Parking Garage enter the Physician's Building by the down ramp. Once inside the building, room 112 is the first office on the right side of the hall.
- Pre-registration
- Staff will take your insurance information and enter it into our hospital system. You will be given a copy of this information which you are to turn over to our staff prior to testing. You will also be given specific written directions on how to locate our department from the testing center.
- Parking
- Free parking is available in the hospital's parking garage. Please bring your parking ticket with you so we can validate it.
