Section of Neurology

The Section of Neurology is one of the largest and the most diverse and sophisticated in Pakistan in terms of its faculty, ranges of clinical services, and academic activities. Clinical neurology services comprise comprehensive speciality consultation in both outpatient and inpatient settings for management of central and peripheral nervous system disorders. The Neurophysiology Laboratory (under the direction of Dr Nadir Ali Syed) is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, neuromuscular junctions, and muscles. Special procedures offered include nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), single fiber EMG, autonomic testing, evoked potentials, electroencephalography (EEG), prolonged EEG monitoring (PEEG), polysomnography (PSG), multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT), nerve conduction studies (NCS), and evoked potential studies (EPS) including brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), visual evoked potential (VEP), somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and electroretinography (ERG). In addition, autonomic testing including sympathetic skin response (SSR) and R-R interval testing, diaphragmatic EMG, EMG-guided botulinum toxin injection for dystonia, and intraoperative SSEP monitoring are also performed. Procedures are performed by well-trained and qualified technologists under the direct supervision of consultant neurologists. There is a well-equipped sleep laboratory where sleep studies are conducted in conjunction with the Section of Pulmonary Medicine. A designated Stroke Unit is currently located in ward C1 of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi (AKUH, K). The Stroke Unit is part of a comprehensive programme of stroke-related services which will include diagnostics such as transcranial doppler, a 24-hour stroke emergency triage system, multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation, and a stroke fellowship training programme. Currently, a weekly clinic at the AKU Sports Centre rehabilitates and educates patients with stroke.

The Section offers neurophysiology courses and training to laboratory technicians and has postgraduate residency and fellowship programmes in clinical neurology and neurophysiology, respectively. Another aspect of the extensive teaching programme includes a weekly inter-city joint meeting of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropathologists, and neuroradiologists. Staff and residents are provided ample opportunity for clinical and laboratory research. Areas of research interests and expertise within the Section of Neurology include clinical neurophysiology, central nervous system infections including tuberculosis, stroke and its management, epilepsy, motor neuron disease, CNS cytokines and neurotransmitters, and aspects of neuroimaging.

Section of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi