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The Neurophysiology Service at Blacktown Hospital offers the following diagnostic services to adults and adolescents over 15 years of age:
Our neurophysiological testing services are provided to both inpatient and outpatients.
We do not offer a paediatric neurophysiology service.
An Electroencephalography (EEG) study is a painless test which measures the electrical activity of the brain. The procedure consists of placing small electrodes on the scalp and recording the electrical activity in the brain. The results of the test are read by a neurologist. No results will be given at the time of your appointment.
A Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) is a test that gives doctors information on how well and how fast your nerves send electrical impulses. This study is used to test a variety of conditions of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system includes all the nerves in your body apart from those in your brain and spinal cord. A nerve conduction study consists of placing several recording electrodes on your skin over specific nerves and delivering a small electrical stimulus to record the electrical response from the nerve.
This test may be followed by an Electromyography (EMG) test. This test used to look for evidence of muscle disorders by inserting a small needle electrode into the muscle and recording the electrical activity produced during rest and muscle activation.
An Evoked Potential (EP) or evoked response is an electrical signal which is recorded from your brain following the presentation of a stimulus. This test is designed to confirm the presence of pathology in the sensory nerve pathway/s.
There are two types of Evoked Potential tests performed within our department:
This test measures the response in the brain following presentation of a visual stimulus such as an electrical checkboard. During this test, the patient is required to focus on a circle in the middle of an electrical checkerboard while the checkers change colour. This information is processed by the visual pathway and the central nervous system response is recorded from the visual cortex through electrodes attached to the patient’s head, attached with a sticky conductive paste.
Please bring your glasses or contact lenses (if required) for this test.
This test measures the sensory pathway from the peripheral nerve in the patient’s arm or leg to the somatosensory cortex of the brain. During this test, the patient is presented with a small electrical stimulus to the nerve and the central nervous system response is recorded from the Somatosensory region of the brain through surface electrodes applied to the patient’s head. These electrodes are attached with a sticky conductive paste. The stimulus is also recorded from other sites along the peripheral nerve and neck to identify the site of stimulus block.
Your tests will be reviewed and reported by a neurologist. Please allow 10 working days from the time of your Neurophysiology appointment to return to your doctor to obtain results.
The results will be sent via mail or faxed to the referring doctor. You can request that they also be sent to other doctors involved in your care.
You will need a referral letter from your general practitioner (GP) or specialist practitioner to access our service.
Your doctor will need to fax your referral letter to us. Please ensure your contact details (telephone number/s and home address) are clearly printed on your referral letter.
You will receive an appointment booking letter in the mail or we will contact you via telephone to arrange a suitable time. This letter will outline any instructions or requirements which are relevant to the test requested by your physician. Please ensure that you read this letter thoroughly and contact us if you have questions or concerns.
All patients with a current Medicare Card will be bulk billed.
Patients without a valid Medicare Card will be charged the schedule fee and will be required to attend the Cashiers Office. Please allow additional time prior to your appointment for this.
Dr Nigel Wolfe
Dr Sangamithra Babu
Dr Robert Boland-Freitas
If you have questions relating to your tests, please contact the Neurophysiology reception on (02) 8670 5860. Reception is staffed Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4pm.
Our fax number is (02) 8670 5880.
Our service is located in the Clinical Services Building at Blacktown Hospital. You will find us on Level 3 (main entrance level) on Hospital Street, opposite the WH Smith Newsagent.
Blacktown Hospital's main entrance and carpark are accessed via Marcel Crescent. Marcel Crescent is located off Panorama Parade which is off Blacktown Road, Blacktown.
Epilepsy Action Australia website
Epilepsy Action Australia fact sheets & brochures
MS Australia website
MS website
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy website
Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia website
MND Australia website
Alzheimer's Australia website
Alzheimer's Australia NSW website
Stroke Foundation website
Stroke Recovery Association NSW website