Neurodiagnostic Evaluation of the Pain Patient

Subjective sensory abnormalities, such as radiating pain, dysesthesia and llodynia, are a common feature of patients presenting to a pain clinic. Objectively quantifying those abnormalities using subjective tests ( eg tuning fork, safety pin) may be difficult. There are a number of non-invasive neurodiagnostic technologies available to supplement the history and physical exam including MRI, thermal perception threshold and vibratory perception threshold test. The sensory Nerve Conduction Threshold ( sNCT) electrodiagnostic evaluation generates Current Perception Threshold (CPT) and Pain Tolerance Threshold (PTT) measures provide objective measures of sensory nerve functional integrity from the periphery to the central nervous system. Neuroselective sinusoidal electrical stimuli permits the sNCT evaluation to quickly, painlessly and objectively quantify the conduction and functional integrity of the large and small myelinated and unmyelinated sensory nerve fibers. Areas of abnormal function are localized to aid in diagnosis, determine clinical severity and evaluate the therapeutic outcome.