Neurology

What is neurology?

Neurology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting your central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which includes the nerves and muscles.

Our neurologists combine clinical diagnosis with advanced testing technology, which increases the effectiveness of the scans. At Quirónsalud our team of specialists works together with other services such as radiology, neurosurgery and interventional neuroradiology to offer the greatest accuracy in your diagnosis and treatment

What does neurology study?

Neurology focuses on studying the characteristics and functioning of the nervous system when it is healthy, and on the different pathologies that can alter it. Our doctors specialise in particular fields in order to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment:

• Functional neurology: studies disorders that relate to the way the brain functions and are not caused by structural damage. These types of disorders may affect vision, hearing or walking ability.
  
• Vascular neurology: focuses on diseases caused by a poor blood flow to the brain, such as stroke, cerebral embolism or vascular dementia.
• Neurophysiology: Neurological studies ranging from nerve function to sleep disorders.
• Muscular neurology: Assesses the diseases that can manifest themselves as loss of strength.
• Child neurology: deals with nervous system disorders during their development (from babies, up to the age of 18) such as epileptic seizures, developmental delay, intellectual disability or dyslexia.
• Memory neurology: Studies the processes that lead to loss of memory and even language abilities, regardless of the level.
• Movement disorder neurology. Diseases that manifest themselves with an increase or often a decrease in movement and are often accompanied by tremors.
• Epilepsy neurology: Studies patients with epileptic symptoms, both those manifesting as seizures and many others with different symptoms.
• Neuroimmunology: Nervous system disorder due to a malfunction of the patient’s immune system. The most common case is multiple sclerosis.
• Neuro-oncology. Studies nervous system tumours, both benign and malignant.
• Headache neurology: Undoubtedly the most common neurological symptom with multiple causes. Includes migraine.

Which patients is it for?

Our neurologists treat nervous system disorders of patients of all ages and also specialise in pathologies that are difficult to diagnose, which is why they provide second opinion consultations.

Techniques, procedures and diagnostic methods

The use of cutting-edge technology is a key pillar at Quirónsalud, to help us make a quick, effective neurological diagnosis. This often includes procedures such as the following:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): a diagnostic imaging test that shows the brain and spinal cord, and can detect tumours, lesions caused by trauma, spinal cord disorders, aneurysms, vascular problems or brain atrophy.
• Computerised axial tomography (CAT): an X-ray to rule out structural abnormalities, skull fractures, brain tumours or circulatory problems.
• Electromyogram: studies the electrical activity of nerves and muscles using electrodes and small needles.
• Evoked potentials: diagnostic tests that record the brain’s responses to specific visual, auditory or tactile stimuli and detect whether the electrical response occurs at the right place and time.
• Electroencephalogram: studies brain activity at baseline, during sleep and after receiving specific stimuli.
• Cerebral angiography: used to detect vascular problems in the brain using a catheter with contrast and X-rays. It provides detailed images of the brain to make a diagnosis while also treating certain pathologies, all in one single procedure.