In order to make an accurate diagnosis, your neurologist will usually order one or more tests or investigations. These may include:
CT scan
A CT scan of the spine or brain is often an initial test which may be organised by your GP or specialist. Modern CT scans provide much useful information, and are fairly quick and easy to obtain.
MRI scan
MRI scans provide more detailed information about the brain, spinal cord, and nerves than a CT and, unlike CT, do not involve exposure to any significant radiation. MRI scans are typically ordered by specialists, and you will need to complete a safety questionnaire first. They are generally more expensive than CT and, because there are fewer MRI machines, the wait may be longer.
Nerve conduction studies
Nerve conduction studies are done to look at the way that electrical activity passes along your nerves. They can assist with the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, and other conditions affecting the nervous system.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan:
PET scans are a type of nuclear medicine scan of the brain and/or body. They are employed in the investigation of epilepsy and in the investigation of tumours. They involve the injection of a small amount of radioactive material (which breaks down fairly quickly and does not have any significant lasting effects).
Lumbar puncture (LP)
A lumbar puncture involves the use of a small needle to withdraw some fluid from the spinal canal. The needle is inserted in the middle of the lower back. Lumbar punctures are used to measure the pressure in the nervous system, as well as to look for evidence of conditions such as meningitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage, and multiple sclerosis (demyelination). You may experience a temporary headache following an LP, and your specialist will explain this, and the other risks involved (bleeding, infection, nerve damage), to you.
Blood tests
Like most areas of medicine, neurologists sometimes rely on a series of blood tests to help them make the diagnosis.
EEG (electronencephalography)
An EEG involves the recording of electrical activity from your brain through the scalp. This is a non-invasive test which is used to determine whether or not you may be suffering from seizures (epileptic fits), and where those seizures may be arising from.