Brain Injury: Common Tests and Procedures
Reviewed January 2008
| Blood Flow/Doppler | Ultrasound test used to detect clots (deep venous thrombosis) in blood vessels of the legs. Safe and painless. |
| Bone scan | Test to find heterotopic ossification (excess bone growth); involves injection of medicine followed by images obtained by a special camera. Radiation exposure is the same as a spinal x-ray. |
| CT scan | Computerized x-ray provides images of the brain; sometimes used for suspected hydrocephalus. |
| EEG (Electro-encephalogram) | Records electrical activity of the brain; can help predict risk for seizures. Safe and painless; requires a medical adhesive that may cause discomfort when removed from the hair. |
| EMG/NCV (Electromyogram & nerve conduction studies) | Records electrical activity of muscles and nerves; used to predict risk for seizures. Safe and painless; requires an adhesive that can cause discomfort when removed from the hair. |
| Evoked potential | Assesses ability of nerves to send information from the body to the brain; used to measure visual, hearing and sensory function, most often in minimally responsive patients unable to have a regular physical exam. |
| Gastric tube insertion | Provides nutrition and fluids through a tube; either surgically inserted in the stomach or inserted into the nose and throat and then down into the stomach. MRI scan Provides detailed brain images using magnetic energy, not radiation used in regular x-rays. |
| Nerve block/botulinum toxin injections | Used to treat spasticity by blocking nerve-to-muscle pathway and allowing the muscle to relax. Injections can be mildly uncomfortable. |
| Shunt (ventriculo-peritoneal) | Surgical procedure places a drain from ventricles of brain into abdomen to remove excess fluid in hydroencephalus. Patients are watched closely for signs of infection. |
| Video swallow assessment | X-ray measures swallowing ability. A physician and speech pathologist monitor swallowing of different substances to ensure that food is not aspirated (goes into the lungs rather than the stomach). |
| X-rays | Internal images to view fractures in bones and look at lungs for possible pneumonia. Painless, but involves a small amount of radiation. |
| Intrathecal baclofen trial | Surgical procedure (done by a neurosurgeon and therapist) delivers medication into the spaces around the spinal cord; sometimes used to treat spasticity. |
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