Neurology diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, as well as thought and memory.
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Diagnosing pathology in the peripheral nervous system requires a multimodal approach. Clinicians must determine if the problem is localized to a specific segment of the nerve or if it is a generalized process. For nerve tumors, the diagnostic pathway focuses on distinguishing between benign schwannomas and aggressive malignancies like malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.
MRI Neurography is a specialized imaging technique designed to visualize peripheral nerves in high detail. It uses specific sequences to suppress the signal from surrounding fat and muscle, making the nerve “glow.” This allows radiologists to see swelling, compression, or the internal architecture of a nerve tumor.
To distinguish a benign neurofibroma from a malignant transformation, FDG-PET scans are utilized. Malignant tumors, having a higher metabolic rate, will avidly take up the radioactive glucose tracer. This functional imaging is critical for surveillance in NF1 patients who may have dozens of benign tumors but only one malignant one.
Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and Electromyography (EMG) provide functional data that imaging cannot. These tests measure the speed and amplitude of electrical signals. They can determine if a weakness is due to the nerve not firing (neuropathy) or the muscle not responding. In tumor cases, they map the extent of functional loss.
The definitive diagnosis of any mass requires tissue analysis. However, biopsying a nerve tumor is risky as it can cause permanent nerve damage or severe pain. Biopsies are typically planned carefully, often using core needles under ultrasound guidance, or performed as part of the definitive surgery to remove the mass.
Pathologists look for specific markers to identify rare variants. For instance, diagnosing metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma requires identifying melanin pigment and specific melanoma markers within the sarcomatous tissue. This distinction is vital because the treatment protocols may differ from standard sarcomas.
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Neurological diseases are often categorized by how they affect the nervous system:
The EMG needle acts like a microphone inside the muscle, listening to the electrical activity to tell the doctor if the nerve supplying that muscle is working properly.
It is diagnosed by examining the tumor tissue under a microscope and finding both cancerous nerve sheath cells and melanin pigment, which is very unusual for this type of tumor.
The carotid arteries are two vital blood vessels. They supply blood to the brain and head. Many strokes happen because of blockages or ruptures in
l5 Nerve damage in the lower back, especially at the L4-L5 level, can really affect your daily life. The L4-L5 vertebrae are key for supporting
Lower back pain is a big problem worldwide. It often comes from L4 nerve compression. This occurs when the L4 nerve root is compressed. It
Nerve damage is a big problem worldwide, affecting millions. It makes everyday life hard. Surgery can help fix nerve damage from injuries, tumors, and when
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