Diagnostic Technology

Neurological and neurosurgical disorders present major challenges for diagnosis and treatment because they involve some of the body’s most complex and critical structures. Technological advancements, particularly in the field of imaging, have helped physicians overcome these challenges with increasing success. In addition to offering some of the most advanced diagnostic technology available, the Indiana Neuroscience Institute has a specialized team to interpret the findings.

Technology that we utilize includes:

• Three-dimensional CT - used to precisely pinpoint the location of a tumor, lesion or malformation and provide three-dimensional images.
• 16-slice CT scanner - provides anatomical information such as the size, shape and location of a tumor or malformation.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner - provides information about the function of the body, even before any anatomical changes occur, and can sometimes show the difference between a malignant and benign tumor.
• CT Angiography - high-speed CT scanning which enables doctors to determine the type of stroke and its pathology.
• Angiography - a procedure performed to view blood vessels after injecting them with a radio-opaque dye that outlines them on X-ray.
• MR Angiography and Venography - provides images of blood vessels using MRI scanning.
• MRI ( Functional, Open, 1.5 Tesla, 3 Tesla) - a high-tech diagnostic procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

Neurodiagnostic Services

Additionally, the Indiana Neuroscience Institute offers neurodiagnostic services, staffed by nationally-credentialed technologists who provide a battery of neurological testing procedures to evaluate neurological, visual, auditory and peripheral nerve conditions. These tests can provide valuable information not available with any other form of testing.

St.Vincent is the first hospital in Indiana to receive accreditation from the American Board of Registered Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists.

Our testing procedures include:

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

• The only diagnostic test that can record comprehensive brain activity.
• Useful for evaluating numbness, dizziness, convulsions, staring spells, mental status changes, behavioral problems and more.
• Relatively inexpensive test for the patient.
• Available for adult and pediatric outpatients, inpatients, at the bedside and stat at any time.

Video EEG

• Long-term EEG leads are applied and the patient stays in a hospital room where EEG and video can be recorded simultaneously.
• Duration can range from 23-hour observation to several days.
• Especially useful for infrequent episodes, atypical clinical behavior or chronic seizure disorders.
• Available for inpatients and outpatients, adults and pediatrics.

Evoked Responses

• Evaluates the nervous system pathways for the auditory nerve (BAER), optic nerve (VER), or from limbs through the spinal cord to the brain (SSER).
• Valuable in evaluating visual/auditory problems, paresthesias, multiple sclerosis, demyelinating disorders, spinal cord injury and more.

Intraoperative Monitoring

• Monitors brain activity, the spinal cord, nerves and/or nerve roots during a variety of surgical procedures, customizable to each individual request.
• Technologist is present during the surgery; a neurologist is available to monitor the case remotely with our advance network capabilities.
• Provides instant feedback to the surgeon regarding changes seen, irritability and hardware placement.