brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Nerve Root Disorders
Diagnosis
Imaging tests Sometimes electrodiagnostic tests Doctors ask about symptoms and do a physical examination. The findings provide clues to the diagnosis and help doctors determine where the problem is. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) is done to confirm the diagnosis. MRI shows the spinal cord, as well as abnormalities in the soft tissues around the cord, such as abscesses, hematomas (collections of blood), tumors, and ruptured disks, and in bone, such as tumors, fractures, osteoarthritis, and Cervical Spondylosis . If MRI cannot be done and if results of CT are unclear, myelography is done. For myelography, a radiopaque contrast agent (which can be seen on x-rays) is injected into the space around the spinal cord, and x-rays are taken. CT myelography may also be done. CT myelography can provide detailed images of the spinal cord and surrounding bone. Electrodiagnostic tests ( Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies ) are done to identify which nerve roots are damaged and to confirm that symptoms are caused by compression of the spinal nerve rather than by problems in the spinal cord or in a nerve If imaging tests do not identify a cause, a spinal tap is done, and doctors analyze the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) to check for infections. Doctors also measure the blood glucose level after people have fasted to check for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and may do other tests depending on the suspected cause. 