Neurophysiology at Prodorso Zurich

During an ENMG examination, various diagnostic methods are used, depending on the clinical question:

Electromyography (EMG):
Electromyography records the activity of individual muscles. For this purpose, a special, very thin needle is inserted into the muscle. The examination shows how a muscle can be activated voluntarily and how it reacts to electrical signals from a neighboring nerve. This allows for an assessment of whether there is damage to the muscle itself or to the supplying nerve. Furthermore, it is possible to distinguish between acute and chronic damage and to estimate its severity. By examining multiple muscles, it can be determined, for example, which nerve root is affected in the case of a herniated disc.

Electroneurography (ENG):
Electroneurography is used to examine the conductivity of peripheral nerves. In this procedure, the nerve is stimulated by a mild electrical stimulus. The impulse is transmitted along the nerve to the muscle, where the resulting muscle response is measured. Delayed or reduced responses indicate a nerve blockage, such as in carpal tunnel syndrome. Other nerve damage, such as that caused by diabetes, can also be detected and differentiated from circumscribed entrapment syndromes.

Examination of the motor endplate:
Signal transmission from the nerve to the muscle is tested using repetitive nerve stimulation.

Autonomic function testing:
Examination of the autonomic nervous system using the measurement of the sympathetic skin response (SSR).

SEP examination (somatosensory evoked potentials):
Sensory sensations are triggered by mild electrical stimulation of a hand or foot nerve. The resulting changes in activity in the sensory areas of the cerebral cortex are recorded and evaluated as somatosensory evoked potentials.

MEP examination (motor evoked potentials):
Using a magnetic coil, the motor cortex is activated through the skull. The conduction time between the motor cortex, the spinal cord, and the muscles of the arm or leg is measured. This allows for the assessment of the functionality of the motor conduction pathways.


Neurovascular ultrasound:
Neurovascular ultrasound is a gentle and painless examination of the blood vessels supplying the brain. During the procedure, the carotid arteries and intracranial vessels are assessed using ultrasound. The examination makes it possible to detect vascular narrowing, plaque deposits, or circulatory disorders and, among other things, to assess the risk of stroke. Neurovascular ultrasound is used, for example, in stroke aftercare, for dizziness, neurological deficits, or for monitoring known vascular diseases. The examination is non-invasive, involves no radiation exposure, and can be performed on an outpatient basis.