Neurology

General Information About Neurology

What is Neurology?

As practicing neurologists, we experience daily that people do not have a clear understanding of what exactly a neurologist does and under what circumstances it is advisable to consult one. Often, we are seen as eccentric scientists locked away in an ivory tower or mistaken for psychiatrists. Below, we provide a brief overview of what we do, what symptoms warrant a visit to a neurologist, and what our specialties are.

Neurology deals with the organic disorders of the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerve roots, nerve plexuses, peripheral nerves). At Ganglion Medical Center, in addition to all our specialists being highly trained and experienced in general neurology, we also have experts specialized in central nervous system diseases (Dr. Péter Ács) and specialists in peripheral nervous system disorders (Dr. Gabriella Deli).

Neurology also deals with common diseases such as cerebrovascular disorders and diabetes-related nerve damage. A neurologist’s responsibilities include recognizing and treating pain syndromes and managing multiple sclerosis, one of the most common diseases in young adults. Furthermore, recognizing, treating, and long-term care of rare but life-threatening conditions (e.g., epilepsy) also fall within the neurologist’s scope.

Diagnosing neurological diseases requires a thorough medical history, precise patient examination, and additional diagnostic procedures. At Ganglion Medical Center, we have specialized diagnostic tools available. Additionally, we maintain an excellent professional relationship with the Pécs Diagnostic Center, allowing us to access advanced imaging technologies (CT, MRI) within a few days from our clinic.

Most Common Complaints/General Neurology

Headache
Dizziness
Numbness
Muscle weakness
Tremor
Memory loss
Pain
Gait disturbance, walking instability
Double vision, drooping eyelid

Headache Clinic

Organic, structural headaches
Migraine
Rare headache types (trigemino-autonomic headaches, cluster headaches)
Tension headaches and medication-overuse headaches

Dizziness Examination

Acute dizziness syndromes
Chronic dizziness
Gait instability
Differentiation of peripheral and central nervous system dizziness

Cerebrovascular Diseases, Stroke Management

Risk factor assessment
Determination of necessary diagnostic algorithm
Primary and secondary prevention
Long-term care

Pain Clinic

Neuropathic pain
Chronic pain syndromes
Facial pain
Chronic lower back pain

Memory Loss (Dementia) Examination

Cognitive function assessment
Alzheimer’s disease and other progressively deteriorating cognitive disorders
Overview of long-term care options

Epilepsy Clinic

Diagnosis of epilepsy syndromes
Differentiation of loss-of-consciousness episodes
Epilepsy differential diagnosis
Evaluation of diagnostic algorithms
Medication adjustment
Long-term care

SPECIALTIES

Movement Disorders

Most Common Symptoms of Movement Disorders

Tremor
Muscle rigidity
Slowed gait and movement
Postural and gait instability
Abnormal muscle tone

Most Common Movement Disorders

Parkinson’s disease
Rare syndromes with Parkinsonian symptoms
Essential tremor
Dystonia

Dr. Péter Ács is a member of the Movement Disorders Working Group at the Neurology Clinic.

Neuroimmunological Disorders

Typical Symptoms of Neuroimmunological Disorders

Fluctuating, spontaneously improving diverse complaints and symptoms
Periodic drooping eyelid, double vision, swallowing difficulties, muscle weakness
Slowly progressing muscle weakness, limb numbness

Characteristic Neuroimmunological Disorders

Multiple sclerosis
Myasthenia gravis
Autoimmune peripheral nervous system disorders

Dr. Péter Ács previously worked at the Neuroimmunology Center of Jahn Ferenc Hospital and conducted PhD research on multiple sclerosis.

Neuro-Ophthalmology Clinic

Disorders associated with eye movement abnormalities
Thyroid disease-related eye symptoms
Optic nerve problems

Dr. Balázs Varsányi (ophthalmologist) and Dr. Péter Ács (neurologist) have maintained a professional collaboration for years and are members of the Hungarian Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases

Characteristics of peripheral nervous system damage
Typical peripheral nervous system disorders
Peripheral nervous system specialty clinic
Numbness along the path of a specific nerve
Muscle weakness localized to a specific muscle group (foot drop, wrist drop)
Symmetrical burning sensation in feet or hands
Gradual muscle atrophy and weakness
Painful diabetic polyneuropathy (multiple nerve disorders)
Nerve damage associated with internal medicine conditions
Nerve injuries due to occupation, sports, or overuse
Identifying causes of nerve damage
Determining diagnostic steps
Specialized instrumental examinations
Assessing nerve injury severity post-trauma and predicting outcomes
Differentiating spinal cord, cervical, and peripheral nerve damage
Establishing therapeutic plans and initiating treatment
Organizing surgical consultations when necessary

Dr. Gabriella Deli has been diagnosing and treating these disorders for years with specialized diagnostic expertise.

Peripheral Nervous System and Muscle Disorders and Their Relationship with ENG/EMG Examinations:

Mononeuropathies (single nerve damage): Numbness in one or both hands/upper limbs is often caused by entrapment/compression syndromes (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar tunnel syndrome, radial nerve palsy, TOS). The ENG examination plays a crucial role in differentiating these conditions.
Radiculopathies (nerve root damage): Pain radiating to one side of the upper or lower limb from the neck or lower back, or one-sided numbness, is often caused by a herniated disc compressing a nerve root. Alongside imaging (MRI/CT), ENG/EMG examinations provide confirmatory diagnostics.
Polyneuropathies (widespread peripheral nerve damage): Symmetrical limb numbness and muscle weakness may indicate polyneuropathy, which has various causes such as diabetes, autoimmune processes, vitamin deficiency, endocrine disorders, alcohol consumption, infections, or genetic conditions. ENG/EMG examinations are essential for determining severity, onset, and type.
Myopathies (muscle diseases): Various conditions can directly affect muscles, such as autoimmune diseases, medications, infections, chronic alcohol use, and genetic disorders. EMG is fundamental in diagnosing these conditions.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and motor neuron diseases: Diagnosing muscle weakness due to motor nerve degeneration requires both ENG and EMG examinations.
Myasthenia gravis: A neuroimmunological disorder causing fluctuating muscle weakness, swallowing difficulties, double vision, and drooping eyelids due to blocked nerve-muscle signal transmission.

WE CANNOT PERFORM MYASTHENIA GRAVIS TESTING ON OUR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY CLINIC. SF-EMG EXAMINATION IS NOT AVAILABLE!!!!

Electroneurography (ENG) Examination:

Essential for diagnosing peripheral nervous system disorders, providing information on nerve damage severity and type. It evaluates both sensory and motor nerves using surface electrodes that stimulate nerves with electrical currents, producing response curves displayed on a monitor. Interpretation requires correlation with clinical symptoms and other diagnostic findings.

Electromyography (EMG) Examination:

Used for skeletal muscle evaluation via needle electrodes inserted into affected muscles. It detects electrical activity in resting and contracting muscles, helping differentiate nerve versus muscle origins of weakness. Usually performed alongside ENG.

Preparation for ENG/EMG Examination:

No special preparation required
Cannot be performed over fresh surgical scars, skin lesions, ulcers, inflammation, or severe edema
EMG is contraindicated if antiplatelet (aspirin, clopidogrel) and anticoagulant (warfarin, apixaban, etc.) medications are combined
ENG/EMG can be performed with a pacemaker