The Neurophysiology Lab provides diagnostic neurophysiological testing for children and youth. This includes a wide range of tests like:
- EEG
- Evoked potentials
- Electromyography and nerve conduction studies
How to make an appointment
We accept referrals from family physicians or pediatricians.
Fill out the neurophysiology lab's referral form
When submitting your referral, please include:
- a detailed clinical description with current medication
- any information or data if patient has had the same test done elsewhere
- if an interpreter is required and for which language (if language is other than English or French)
Mail or fax the referral form to:
Neurophysiology Lab (C-A)
CHEO
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1
Fax: Lab 613-738-4879
Scheduling centre 613-738-4865
What happens next
Once the referral has been received, reviewed and triaged, an appointment will be booked. The patient will be notified directly with their appointment time.
Make sure to let CHEO know if the status of the patient changes.
About your appointment
Neurophysiology Lab is located in C-A (Garry Cardiff Wing, level 1 - basement). You will need to bring the following items to your appointment:
- health card
- any medications
EEG: Electro-encephalograms
What is an EEG? |
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An EEG records "brain waves" on a computer. It doesn't hurt, and has no side effects. It gives us information about brain activity, and can help us decide if there is a problem. We also use EEGs to monitor children and youth with brain conditions like seizures. It usually takes about an hour. |
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How do we prepare our child for the EEG? |
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On the morning of the test, wash your child's hair. Don't use gel, mousse or hairspray. Your child can eat as usual, but should not have anything with caffeine in it (like Coke, Pepsi, coffee, tea or energy drinks). Make sure your child uses the washroom before you come into the lab. |
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What about medications? |
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Give your child or youth all prescribed medications on the day of the EEG, unless your doctor tells you not to. |
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Sleeping and napping instructions |
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What will happen during the EEG? |
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For the EEG:
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What happens after the EEG? |
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Please don't drive if you have stayed awake with your child for a sleep deprived EEG. Arrange for a safe ride home. Your child's hair may have some leftover paste in it. You can remove this easily with a damp washcloth. Results are usually ready in about 2 weeks. |
EMG: Electro-myogram
What is an EMG? |
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An EMG has 2 parts:
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How do we prepare our child for the EMG? |
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Make sure your child or teen has a bath or shower the morning of the EMG. |
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What will happen during the EMG? |
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How do we get the test results? |
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After the tests, we will review the results and send them to the doctor who ordered the EMG. It usually takes about 2 weeks for your doctor to get the results. Please don't call our lab for results. Your doctor will share the results with you. If your neurologist is in the lab during the test, he or she will talk with you about the test results right after the tests are finished. If you would like us to send the results to another doctor, you can go to our Health Records department and sign a release form. |
Evoked Potentials (EPs)
What is an Evoked Potentials (EPs) test? |
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EPs test the nerve pathways in the spinal cord and brain. We test 3 types of EPs:
During EP testing, we send quick signals to a nerve, and use a special computer to record the brain's response. |
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How do we prepare our child for this test? |
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Children and youth need to lie very still for about an hour during this test. If you feel your child will not be able to lie still for that long, let your doctor know. Children sometimes need to be admitted to our day surgery unit so that they can have the test under sedation (special sleep medication). Please wash your child's hair the day before the test. Do not use gel, mousse, hairspray or oil. |
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What will happen during the Evoked Potentials test? |
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For this test, we will stick wires on your child's head, neck and back with a soft, washable paste. We do not use any needles or radiation, and there are no side effects. Your child will need to lie very still during this test.
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How do we get the test results? |
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After the tests, we will review the results and send them to the doctor who ordered the EP test. It usually takes about 2 weeks for your doctor to get the results. Your doctor will share the results with you; please don't call our lab for results. If you would like us to send the results to another doctor, you can go to our Health Records department and sign a release form. |
Need more information?
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