What happens during medical diagnosis?
Diagnosis usually begins with a physical examination. This may be carried out by a neurologist, neurosurgeon, nurse practitioner, or medical resident. A family doctor, paediatrician, or an emergency room doctor may have already done a physical exam, but it is important for each new doctor to understand your child’s situation. The examiner will observe your child and ask questions about the symptoms as well as about your child’s past medical history. She will also conduct a neurological examination. If the results suggest that there may be a brain tumour, additional tests will be scheduled. The next set of tests may involve brain scans or neuroimaging, which provides a picture of the brain. Your child’s doctor may also decide to do electrophysiological tests to examine brain activity. In most cases, the first doctor who will treat your child is a neurosurgeon. She will look at the results of the brain scans and physical examination and decide whether or not your child needs surgery. Ano
