Patient's question:
Your friend's child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.Doctor's answer:
1. Electrophysiological Examination:① Electroencephalogram (EEG): Approximately 80% of children with cerebral palsy exhibit abnormal EEG waves, with a higher incidence in hemiplegia. It is also possible for the EEG to be normal, or to show abnormal background activity accompanied by epileptic discharges, in which case attention should be paid to the possibility of concurrent epilepsy.
② Brain Electrical Activity Mapping (BEAM): Detects pediatric brain development and brain wave changes.
③ Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI);
④ Evoked Potentials; Visual impairment or hearing loss may require visual evoked potentials and auditory evoked potentials, respectively.
⑤ Electromyography (EMG): Assesses the functional state of muscles and nerves. This examination is particularly recommended for children with cerebral palsy who also have muscle atrophy.
⑥ Brain Impedance Hemodynamic Graph (REG): Assesses the function and blood supply of the head's blood vessels.
2. Cranial CT and MRI: 1/2 to 2/3 of children may show abnormalities, but a normal result does not rule out the diagnosis. Most children with cerebral palsy may exhibit brain atrophy, external hydrocephalus, brain softening, or brain pial abnormalities.