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New information on how the areas of the brain that control functions CHANGE! PATIENT
INFORMATION FOR WADA TESTING Your neurologist
has referred you for a WADA test as part of your evaluation for uncontrolled seizures. General
Information: This test
includes two parts (a cerebral angiogram and intracerebral amytal [WADA] test) and
requires a one-day hospital stay. The actual testing (angiogram and WADA) takes about 2-3
hours. Most patients are dischargedlate in the afternoon of the test day. The tests will
be administered by your neurologist from the University Hospitals Comprehensive Epilepsy
Program. You will have
blood work done a few days before admission. This is because blood work done on the day of
the WADA will delay its start. The radiologist will not insert the tubing in your groin
until he has reviewed your blood test results. Come to the
Humphrey Admitting Department at 6:30 AM on the day of your test. You will sign consent
forms, then and EEG technician will take you to the EEG department to apply electrodes to
your scalp. During the test a continuous EEG will be recorded. After the EEG electrodes
have been applied, the technician will take you to the angiogram room in radiology. There
is a waiting room in the radiology department where your family can stay until your test
is done. Cerebral
Angiogram: An angiogram
involves placing a small plastic tubing in your groin. A local anesthetic is injected
first, so there is little discomfort. Dye is then injected into the tubing so the doctors
can see the blood vessels on one side of your brain on X-ray. Immediately
after the angiogram, the WADA test will be done. The radiologist will inject a medication
called Sodium Amytal through the tubing and into one side of your brain. The Sodium Amytal
puts this side of your brain "to sleep" for a short time. Most of the effects
are gone in 5-10 minutes. You may feel sleepy, giddy, or mildly depressed. During the time
the amytal is in effect, the opposite side of the brain is tested. For example, if the
right side of the brain is injected, the left side of the brain is tested. The tests are
simple and involve memory and language. You will be given words and pictures to identify
and remember. You may also be asked to do simple tasks like raise your arm or touch your
ear. After the first
side of the brain is tested, you will be given 10-15 minutes to rest, then the other side
will be done. The same plastic tubing is used for the test on the other side of the brain.
The radiologist repositions the tubing and injects more dye to check the blood circulation
on the other side of your brain. After this, you will be given more Sodium Amytal and the
memory and language tests will be repeated. Once the testing
is done, the tubing is removed from your groin and the radiologist holds firm pressure
over the puncture site for 20 minutes. At this time your EEG electrodes will be removed.
When the radiologist is sure that the puncture site has closed, you will be taken to an
observation room to recover. Recovery After the test
it is necessary to lie quietly in your bed with your test leg straight for several hours.
This is because the blood pressure inside the artery is high and the puncture must be
allowed to heal to prevent bleeding. This includes using a bedpan or urinal if necessary
and keeping your leg straight during lunch and/or dinner. You may have a sandbag placed
over the puncture site to guard against bleeding. If you notice bleeding or swelling in
your groin, you should notify the nurse immediately. After several hours of rest you will
be given instructions and discharged home. If you have
further questions or concerns, please call (216) 844-5383. Thank you. Review of Wada Testing:(Workshop for the Continuing Ed Program of the European Conference of the International Neuropsychological Society, June 22, 1994) |