Electroneurodiagnostic (END) technology is a relatively new technology that can measure the electrical activity in various parts of the human brain and nervous system. These measurements are used to diagnose injuries, disorders, and diseases.
END techs use this equipment to perform a wide variety of tests that record electrical activity arising primarily from the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and somatosensory (sleep) systems. Techs understand neurophysiology—the study of how the nervous system functions—and they can recognize normal and abnormal electrical activity.
END techs have several main duties. They take patients’ medical histories, prepare them for procedures, and apply electrodes to specific areas on the patient’s head, chest, arms, legs, or spinal column. Techs then record electrical activity and calculate the results. END techs work with physicians who interpret the data and provide clinical impressions. They also maintain the equipment they use.
END technology has grown out of, and still includes, electroencephalogram (EEG) technology. An EEG is a recording of the ongoing electrical activity of the brain. The electrical activity appears as specific patterns of wavy lines. Physicians use these patterns to determine the health of nerve cells. EEGs help physicians diagnose brain disorders, evaluate the effects of head trauma, or determine the consequences of severe infectious disease.
Apart from the EEG, the most common electroneurodiagnostic procedures are the evoked potential (EP), the polysomnogram (PSG), the electronystagmogram (ENG), and nerve conduction studies (NCS).
An EP is a recording of electrical activity from the brain, spinal nerves, and sensory receptors that occurs in direct response to external stimuli. After the electrodes have been attached, an END tech sets up the equipment to apply specific stimuli until the patient reacts.
A PSG is a special procedure that evaluates sleep and sleep disorders. These tests are carried out in a sleep clinic. Techs record heart, brain, respiratory, and organ activity and separate the readings according to the stage of sleep. The techs may also write reports summarizing the results.
NCS is used to diagnose muscle and nerve problems. Techs place the electrodes over a nerve and muscle and then stimulate the nerve with an electrical current. They record how long it takes the nerve impulse to reach the muscle.
An ENG is used to record eye activity.
NOC Code: 3218