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.
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: