Encephalitis : Tests

Various symptoms resembling meningitis may be present. An examination may show signs of meningeal irritation (especially neck stiffness), increased intracranial pressure, or other neurologic symptoms such as muscle weakness, mental confusion, spee...

Encephalitis and Meningitis:: Blood testing can confirm the presence of West Nile virus in the body by drawing a sample of blood for laboratory analysis. When infected with West Nile virus, an analysis of blood sample may show a rising level of...

A brain biopsy (surgical gathering of a small tissue sample) may be recommended in some cases in which treatment has thus far been ineffective and the cause of the encephalitis is unclear. Definite diagnosis by biopsy may allow specific treatment...

A test that measure the presence and amount of antibodies in blood. These antibodies may be against a particular type of tissue, cell, bacteria, virus, or other external substance.

A cranial CT scan is computed tomography of the head, including the skull, brain, orbits (eye sockets), and sinuses.

Computed tomography (CT) scans are completed with the use of a 360-degree x-ray beam and computer production of images. These scans allow for cross-sectional views of body organs and tissues.

Injury to the head may damage the scalp, skull , or brain . The most important consequence of head injury is traumatic brain injury.

Computed tomography (CT) scans are completed with the use of a 360-degree x-ray beam and computer production of images. These scans allow for cross- sectional views of body organs and tissues.

CT imaging equipment includes conventional, spiral, multi-slice, and electron-beam computed tomography full-body scanners, which use x rays to acquire cross-sectional images and computer workstations to reconstruct acquired image data for display on a viewing monitor or printed on film. Also referred to as computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanning equipment.

Computed tomography (also known as CT, CT scan, CAT, or computerized axial tomography) scans use x rays to produce precise cross-sectional images of anatomical structures. With the development of modern computers, the scans enhanced digital capabilities allowed the development of computed tomography imaging (derived from the Greek tomos , meaning " to slice " ).

Injury to the head may damage the scalp, skull or brain. The most important consequence of head trauma is traumatic brain injury.

Head injury is an injury to the scalp, skull, or brain. The most important consequence of head trauma is traumatic brain injury.

Lumbar puncture (LP) is the technique of using a needle to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal. CSF is the clear, watery liquid that protects the central nervous system from injury and cushions it from the surrounding bone structure.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a laboratory test to examine a sample of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This fluid is a clear, watery liquid that protects the central nervous system from injury and cushions it from the surrounding bone structure.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to detect abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain.

Electroencephalography (EEG)Electroencephalography(EEG)is a test that measures your brain wave activity. It is used to assess your brain function.What Is EEG Used For?

Having an Electroencephalography (EEG)TipsTry to relax and remain still.Avoid talking during the test.You will sit in a reclining chair or lie down on an exam table in a softly lighted room. The technologist will measure certain points on your head.

An electroencephalogram (EEG), also called a brain wave test, is a diagnostic test which measures the electrical activity of the brain (brain waves) using highly sensitive recording equipment attached to the scalp by fine electrodes. Purpose EEG is performed to detect abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain which may help diagnose the presence and type of various brain disorders, to look for causes of confusion, and to evaluate head injuries, tumors, infections, degenerative diseases, and other disturbances that affect the brain.

Electroencephalography, or EEG, is a neurological test that uses an electronic monitoring device to measure and record electrical activity in the brain. Purpose The EEG is a key tool in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a neurological diagnostic procedure that records the changes in electrical potentials ( brain waves) in various parts of the brain. Purpose The EEG is an important aid in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy and other seizure disorders, as well as in the diagnosis of brain damage related to trauma and diseases such as strokes, tumors, encephalitis, and drug and alcohol intoxication.

Electroencephalography, or EEG, is a neurological test that involves attaching electrodes to the head of a person to measure and record electrical activity in the brain over time. Purpose The EEG, also known as a brain wave test, is a key tool in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

Electroencephalography, or EEG, is a neurological test that involves attaching electrodes to the head of a patient to measure and record electrical activity in the brain over time. Purpose The EEG, also known as a brain wave test, is a key tool in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

The electroencephalography (EEG) unit is used to record the electrical output of the brain to produce a record called an electroencephalogram. Purpose Measurements taken by an electroencephalography unit are used to diagnose and classify disorders of the brain including seizures, encephalopathy, encephalitis, some psychiatric diseases, and brain death.

Electroencephalography, or EEG, is a neurological test that involves attaching electrodes to the head of a person to measure and record electrical activity in the brain over time. Purpose The EEG, also known as a brain wave test, is a key tool in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

An MRI of the head is a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to construct clear, detailed pictures of brain tissues. Unlike conventional radiography and computed tomography (CT), which make use of potentially harmful x-rays passing through a patient to generate images, MRI imaging is based on the magnetic properties of atoms. A powerful magnet generates a magnetic field roughly 10,000 times stronger than the Earth's. A very small percentage of hydrogen atoms within the body will align with this field. The "nuclear" in the original name (nuclear magnetic resonance imaging) -- now seldom used -- refers to the proton in the nucleus of the hydrogen atom and does not imply radioactivity. When focused short radio wave pulses are broadcast towards the aligned hydrogen atoms in tissues of interest, they will return a signal of their own. The subtle differences in that signal from dissimilar tissues enables the MRI to differentiate between various organs, and potentially, provide contrast between benign and malignant (cancerous) tissue. Any imaging plane, or slice, can be projected, and then stored in a computer or printed on film. MRI is easily performed through clothing and bones. However, certain types of metal in or around the area of interest can cause significant errors in the reconstructed images. These errors are called artifacts.

Like all other parts of the body, the brain and central nervous system are made up of cells that ordinarily grow and divide to create new cells as needed. This is usually an orderly process; but when cells lose their ability to grow normally or to die off naturally, they divide too often and produce tumors that are made up of these extra cells.

Part of the central nervous system located in the skull. Controls mental and physical actions of the organism.

Congenital brain defects are a group of disorders of brain development that are present at birth. Brain development begins shortly after conception and continues throughout the growth of a fetus.

Brain abscess is a bacterial infection within the brain. The brain is usually well insulated from infection by bacteria, protected by the skull, the meninges (tissue layers surrounding the brain), the immune system, and the highly regulated barrier between the bloodstream and the brain.

A brain biopsy is the removal of a small piece of brain tissue for the diagnosis of abnormalities of the brain, such as Alzheimer ' s disease , tumors, infection, or inflammation. Purpose By examining the tissue sample under a microscope, the biopsy sample provides doctors with the information necessary to guide diagnosis and treatment.

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. Unlike other tumors, brain tumors spread by local extension and rarely metastasize (spread) outside the brain.

Congenital brain defects are a group of disorders of brain development. Brain development begins shortly after conception and continues throughout the growth of a fetus.

The brain is the part of the central nervous system located in the skull. It controls the mental processes and physical actions of a human being.

The brain is a large mass of soft nervous tissue made up of both neurons and supporting glial cells lying within the cranium of the skull. The brain contains both gray and white matter.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners rely on the principles of atomic nuclear-spin resonance. Using strong magnetic fields and radio waves, MRI collects and correlates deflections caused by atoms into images.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of physical trauma to the head causing damage to the brain. This damage can be focal, or restricted to a single area of the brain, or diffuse, affecting more than one region of the brain.

The brain is the part of the central nervous system (CNS) inside the skull (the part outside the skull is the spinal cord ). It gives rise to cognitive thought processes and controls various body functions including muscular activity, speech, sight, hearing , breathing, and digestion.

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue, either malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous), in the brain. Each year, more than 17,000 brain tumors are diagnosed in the United States.

Serology is a blood test to detect the presence of antibodies against a microorganism.

This is a blood test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs). It is almost always part of the CBC (complete blood count). See also blood differential .

A white blood cell (WBC) count determines the concentration of white blood cells in the patient ' s blood. A differential determines the percentage of each of the five types of mature white blood cells.

A white blood cell (WBC) count determines the concentration of white blood cells in the patient ' s blood. A differential determines the percentage of each of the five types of mature white blood cells.