Westside Neurology Ali Moussaoui, M.D.

In addition to general neurology, Westside Neurology also offers the following services:

• Neurodiagnostics
• Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
• Electromyogram (EMG)
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Sleep medicine
• Sleep studies
• Pain management
• Epilepsy monitoring
• Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring
• BOTOX® injections
• Carotid ultrasounds
• Transcranial doppler (TCD)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Computed tomography (CT) interpretations

Test and Service Definitions

Carotid doppler: A wand-like device (transducer) sends high-frequency sound waves into your neck. The sound waves pass through tissue and then return, creating on-screen images that delineate any narrowing or clotting in your carotid arteries.

Electroencephalography (EEG): This diagnostic test is used to study brain wave activity. It is most useful to evaluate seizures disorders.

Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS): Electromyography measures the tiny electrical discharges produced in muscles. A thin-needle electrode is inserted into the muscles your doctor wants to study. An instrument records the electrical activity in your muscle at rest and as you contract the muscle. This test can help determine if muscle damage has occurred. The nerve conduction study, measures the speed (velocity) at which nerves carry electrical signals. A nerve conduction study is similar to an EMG but doesn’t involve needle electrodes. By calculating the time it takes for the signal to travel between electrode sites, a doctor can determine how fast the signal travels. In some nerve disorders, the speed of the signal is dramatically slower.

Evoked potentials: A series of electrophysiologic tests help evaluate the function of specific elements of the nervous system.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This technique utilizes the properties of magnetic fields to image the brain and spinal cord to help diagnose neurological disorders.

Transcranial doppler (TCD): A wand-like device (transducer) sends high-frequency sound waves into your head. The sound waves pass through tissue and then return, creating on-screen images that delineate any narrowing or clotting in your arteries.

BOTOX® and Myobloc® injections: Botulinum toxin injections are used to treat a variety of disorders related to abnormal muscle contractions and pain. BOTOX® is the trade name for botulinum toxins A and Myobloc® is the trade name for botulinum toxins B, which are forms of a naturally occurring substance derived from a type of food poisoning called botulism.

BOTOX® injections are used to treat a broad range of conditions. These include the following:

• Dystonia - involuntary, rhythmic contractions of the muscles. Dystonia may occur in the arms, legs or in the neck. When it occurs in the neck, it is called cervical dystonia. Spasticity - a disorder where muscles in certain parts of the body are permanently contracted or tightened and unable to relax.

• Headaches - BOTOX® is used to treat both migraine and tension headaches.

• Blepharospasm and hemifacial spasms - A condition in which the eyelid and the muscles in the face are affected.