X-rays for Neurological Examination

A Neurological Examination is aimed at evaluating the sensory and motor skills of an individual. This essentially means measuring the functioning of cranial nerves and the kind of functionalities neurological pathways define in a human being such as speech, hearing, muscular coordination, bodily balance, mental acuity and behavioral changes. There are many kinds of neurological examinations. This includes using a variety of medical equipment like a flashlight, tuning fork, ophthalmoscope and reflex hammer for checking the functional ability of various neurological systems. Conducting X-rays for Neurological Examination has more or less evolved as a standard test which requires the presence of an x-ray technician along with a neurological specialist to perform and analyze the x-ray test results respectively.

Understanding X-ray Neurological Testing

X-ray Neurological Testing is also referred to as Diagnostic Imaging Testing. The images produced here are helpful for detecting, analyzing and treating neurological diseases. Like many other neurological tests, X-ray Neurological Examinations are also performed on an outpatient basis. This is an undemanding test that doesn't discomfort the patient in any way. It doesn't require very specialized settings or expensive machinery, unlike PET or SPECT scanning, apart from an x-ray room and the presence of an x-ray technician.

Delving Deeper into X-ray Neurological Examination

Ordering X-rays of the patient’s skull is commonly required as a part of standard, neurological work-up. This is because x-rays provide easy-to-understand images about all major organ systems. Among conventional x-ray machines, called radiographs, the technician would pass a calculated amount of low-strength ionized radiation and this was captured on a photographic plate. X-rays are particularly useful for demarcating the bones on the x-ray film. This is because Calcium in the bones tends to absorb x-rays more profusely than the soft tissues and muscles. Thus, all bony structures in the skull appear white on the x-ray film.

Utilities of X-ray Neurological Examination

If the neurological problems are being precipitated due to any bony misalignment within the skull or due to skull fractures, it can be identified within minutes of obtaining the x-ray film. Further, the tissue masses are also decipherable on the x-ray film. The non-invasive and painless nature of this examination has ensured that it is readily available across nearly every healthcare setting offering standard testing facilities. This is why X-ray Neurological Testing is recommended among cases of high-impact accidents where an injury or trauma to the skull is suspected.

Fluoroscopy Neurological Testing

Fluoroscopy is a more recent variation of conventional x-ray examination that uses short pulses of low-dose radiation. This helps to produce more constant images of the skull. Here, the Fluoroscope x-ray tube is simply focused on the skull and the images being created via this device can be seen on a monitor, offering instant viewing facility and the freedom to select the best angles and contrast ratios. Many times, lab technicians use contrast mediums for highlighting certain aspects of the images. Fluoroscopy is particularly useful for neurological disorders that involve impaired vascular supply to the brain, i.e. Fluoroscopy can be used for analyzing how blood is flowing across various sections of the brain.