Electrophysiological examinations

Nerve conduction works via electrical signal and can be examined with different methods. These examinations are performed on the premises by neurophysiologist Dr. José-Luís Chulilla.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)
The electroencephalogram measures the electrical activity of the brain, similarly to the ECG (electrocardiogram) which records the electrical activity of the heart. The patient is put on a hood, by means of which the electrodes can be placed on certain points of the scalp. The examination is absolutely painless and it can be repeated as often as desired. The gel, which guarantees a good contact between the measuring electrodes and the scalp, soils the hair, but it can be washed out without problems.

Electromyography (EMG), electroneurography (ENG)
The activity of the muscles is controlled by electrical impulses of the nerves and can likewise be measured. A needle-shaped measuring electrode is pricked into the muscle to be measured, which makes the electrical activity that is generated when the muscle is tensed visible and audible. The measured results are called "potentials" and are shown in the recording of the measuring device as a steep rise in the measurement curve.

They allow to differentiate between recent and chronic nerve damage or to detect a muscle disease. This examination is important, for example, in the case of painful muscle inflammation or muscle diseases, such as poliomyelitis or damage to nerves or nerve roots supplying this muscle.

Evoked potentials
The electrical activity of nerves or muscles, which appears as steep deflections in a measurement curve, is called potential. Potentials occur after stimulating the corresponding tissue, e.g. in the case of muscles, by the stimulation of the nerve that controls this muscle. After stimuli are received by the eyes, the ears, or by the sense of touch (visual, acoustic or sensitive stimuli), electrical impulses are generated in the brain, which are called "evoked potentials" and can be measured similarly to the EEG with glued-on head electrodes.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP)
A nerve is stimulated by electrodes in the skin, which the patient experiences as a tingling sensation. The time until the impulse reaches the brain is measured by a computer.
Acoustic and visual evoked potentials (AEP and VEP are performed in the Clinic Mútua Balear (Dr. Chulilla c/ Bisbe Campins 4, 8th floor 07012 Palma).

Sleep laboratory
Sleep deprivation EEGs and polysomnographies (sleep laboratory) can be carried out on the premises after sleep deprivation. For this, there should be a sleep deprivation of at least 7 hours, i.e. the patient should stay awake from 2 o'clock and appear for the examination at 9 o'clock without having slept. Video EEGs of up to 9 hours can likewise be recorded on the premises.

Polysomnographies
They are performed by joint staff at the Clinic Mútua Balear (Dr. Chulilla c/ Bisbe Campins, 8th floor 07102 Palma.