Neurology
Blank Children's Neurology, a hospital outpatient department of UnityPoint Health – Des Moines – Iowa Methodist Medical Center, consists of specially trained health care providers dedicated to caring for childhood neurologic disorders.
Our Providers
What is Neurology?
Neurology is a branch of medicine that studies and treats the major parts of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
What Does a Neurologist Do?
Neurologists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and management of disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. Neurologists complete an additional three years of training in order to better understand and treat the delicate organs of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
What Conditions Does a Neurologist Treat?
- Muscle weakness
- Coordination problems
- Decrease in sensations
- Seizure disorders
- Encephalitis
- Spinal cord tumor
- Meningitis
- Brain abscess
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Spinal cord disorders
- Autoimmune disorders
- Migraines
- Cluster headaches
- Brain tumor
- Stroke
What Exams Does a Neurologist Perform?
The brain, spinal cord and nerves are delicate and intricate, which makes the testing and examination of the nervous system quite complex. These are some of the procedures used in neurology diagnostics:
- Computed tomography (CT Scan)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET Scan)
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Electronystagmography (ENG)
- Sleep study
- Angiography
- X-Ray
- Fluoroscopy
- Biopsy
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
- Discography
- Thermography
Benefits of Blank Children's Neurology
Our neurology team understands that conditions and injuries involving the nervous system can be unfamiliar, and that's why our team of experts works hard to provide answers and treatment options. They work with all of the patients' doctors to provide a comprehensive, coordinated approach to care that meets the needs of each patient and his or her family, keeping the patient and family at the center of all they do.
Your Child's First Visit
Before scheduling an appointment at Blank Children's Neurology, your child will need a referral from their primary care physician or an emergency room physician. Your child's first visit will probably be the longest. Please plan to be at the clinic for approximately one to three hours. We ask that you arrive 15 to 20 minutes ahead of your child's appointment to complete medical history and insurance information forms. You will want to bring the following information along to your child's first appointment (unless our office has already received it):
- Referral information from your child's primary provider and/or therapist.
- Medical records from your child's primary provider.
- Results of any previous evaluations.
Insurance
Prior approvals from your child's primary provider and insurance plan may be necessary before each visit.