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- Neuroradiological
- MRI
- diagnostic accuracy makes this the test of choice despite the
cost; distinguishes between a fluid-filled syrinx, intramedullary tumour,
and demyelinating lesions
- X-ray
- reveals bony changes of spondylosis (ex. from rheumatoid arthritis)
- CT/Myelography
- tumours appear; metrizamide injection reveals characteristic cord collapse
of syringomyelia (bull's eye appearance in cross section)
- Laboratory
- Blood
tests: CBC - cheap and easily available - look for hypersegmented polys;
VDRL, Lyme, HIV, Tb - to rule out secondary causes
- Glucose,
B12, Folate - easily available to rule out the possibility of a metabolic
disorder such as subacute combined degeneration
- Lumbar
puncture - invasive test; oligoclonal banding, increased gamma globulin
fraction and myelin basic protein point towards MS, although MRI is still
the diagnostic tool of choice
- Neurophysiological
- Nerve
conduction studies
- Electromyogram
- Evoked
Potential - somatosensory abnormalities may indicate MS lesions
- VEP - visual
evoked potential
- BSEP - brainstem
evoked potential
- SSEP - somatosensory
evoked potential