Post-Polio Syndrome Diagnosis

An Overview of Post-Polio Syndrome Diagnosis

In order to make a post-polio syndrome diagnosis, the doctor will ask the patient a number of questions about:

 

• Symptoms
• Past medical history, including a history of poliovirus infection
• Current medical conditions
• Family history of medical conditions
• Current medications.

 

In addition, the doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms of post-polio syndrome. The doctor will also recommend certain tests.

 

Tests Used to Make a Post-Polio Syndrome Diagnosis

In order to make a make a post-polio syndrome diagnosis and exclude other similar conditions, the doctor may recommend certain tests. These tests can help diagnose post-polio syndrome (or another medical condition), but they do not identify survivors at greatest risk for new progression of muscle weakness. Tests include:

 

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Neuroimaging tests
• Electromyography (EMG).

 

Less commonly, doctors may recommend a muscle biopsy or a spinal fluid analysis.

 

Diagnosing Post-Polio Syndrome or Another Medical Condition

A number of other medical conditions share some similar symptoms with post-polio syndrome. Before making a post-polio syndrome diagnosis, the doctor will consider these diseases and conditions, which include:

 

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue syndrome.