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An electronystagmography (ENG) test — also known as electrooculography — uses electrodes attached above and below your eye to record eye movement.
An ENG test neurology check is actually a group of tests that may include:
There are other types of ENG tests as well, and most aren’t uncomfortable at all. Your doctor, experienced in using the electronystagmography test for diagnostic testing chooses which of the tests you need to determine your diagnosis.
In New York and New Jersey, find the best neurologists who are experts at diagnosing various neurological difficulties with tests like the ENG at Neuro Injury Specialists. At this practice, Drs. Leon Reyfman, Mark Cohen and Dmitriy Dvoskin provide exceptional diagnoses that allow them to deliver the most effective treatments for your specific condition.
An ENG test is used when you have problems with your balance or coordination. This is known as a vestibular dysfunction. Vestibular dysfunction occurs in the inner ear and certain parts of the brain.
An electronystagmography can also help to identify:
Ultimately, electronystagmography can be used to help diagnose any condition that causes dizziness or balance trouble. It’s considered the best test for vertigo. The symptoms of dizziness and imbalance can indicate a problem with the nerves that affect your equilibrium.
An ENG test helps doctors diagnose and treat disorders that occur in what is called the peripheral vestibular system. This system not only deals with balance, but also muscle and nerve operations between the eyes and ears.
Your doctor may order an electronystagmography test if you have inexplicable:
An electronystagmography can pinpoint a lesion if one is known to exist. ENG test neurology check can spot nystagmus — involuntary rapid eye movement — in response to a stimulus like the water caloric test. If the movement doesn’t happen, the problem is in the ear, nerves of the ear or specific places in the brain.
Nerve damage of the brain can have a number of causes from a sports injury to a car accident. It may be something you have little or no control over. The brain is an intricate organ that needs only a miniscule fault to go haywire.
There are even some medications that can lead to ear nerve damage, such as:
The nerves tested are specific. These nerves all allow for certain movements of the eye. Sometimes the involuntary motion doesn’t happen, or it’s fast or slow. A neurologist knows what kind of response to expect from a certain stimulus.
Some of the nerves of the brain tested might include:
There isn’t much for you to do to prepare for an ENG test. Your doctor lets you know if there are certain medications that you need to decrease or stop taking.
You will also need to:
Before the procedure, your ears are examined for wax buildup and cleaned if necessary. Your neurologist lets you know if there are any special preparations you need to make for your situation. An electronystagmography is usually done in your doctor’s office. It’s a simple procedure that takes approximately one to 1.5 hours.
The test usually follows a process that includes:
After the test, the electrodes are removed and the paste is cleaned from your face. You may be asked to sit in the office for a short time to make sure you’re feeling okay because the movements can occasionally make you feel dizzy or nauseous.
An ENG test is a relatively safe and uneventful procedure, especially when you rely on talented experts who perform this procedure over and over. People who have a pacemaker should not have this test done, as it may interfere with the function of the pacemaker.
Minor risks may include:
Since water is introduced to the ear canal via a syringe for the water caloric test, your doctor won’t do this test if you have a damaged eardrum, so you don’t have to worry about any pain at all. An ENG test usually is performed in your neurologist’s office, so you’ll be comfortable and in familiar surroundings.
Some people ask if there’s a difference between ENG and videonystagmography (VNG) tests. An ENG uses electrodes placed around your eye to record vestibular ocular reflex. A VNG uses infrared cameras and specialized eyewear to view the same reflex. They’re different ways to get the same result and neither one seems to have an advantage over the other.
To learn more about ENG test neurology issues and how you can get an easy diagnosis for your dizziness, contact the doctors at Neuro Injury Specialists in NY and NJ for a consultation as soon as possible. Don’t wait; don’t live with unnecessary risks associated with dizziness and lack of coordination.