Wada test

The Wada test helps to find out which of the two hemispheres of the brain is responsible for certain important functions, e.g. language and memory. This type of test may be necessary before operations to treat epilepsy. The Wada test is therefore primarily used to determine whether parts of the brain can be removed during epilepsy surgery without harming the patient.

In the Wada test, a catheter is inserted from the groin and goes past the heart into the neck artery that supplies one half of the brain with blood. An anesthetic is then released via the catheter, which inactivates the affected hemisphere of the brain for a few minutes. Then the language and memory functions will be tested to see which functions are impaired and therefore lie on the inactivated hemisphere of the brain.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

  • The Wada test is a very reliable test of the functions that are located in one hemisphere of the brain.

Disadvantages

  • The Wada test involves access to an artery and a short stay in hospital (usually one day). Non-invasive alternatives are available, e.g. functional MRI examination, transcranial magnetic stimulation, but these are less established.

Procedure

You come to the Clinic for Neuroradiology in the morning. After an informative discussion, a diagnostic angiography is performed with a catheter via a puncture of the inguinal artery. The catheter is then left in the neck artery. An anesthetic is released via the catheter which inactivates the affected hemisphere of the brain for a few minutes. Then the language and memory functions will be tested to see which functions are impaired and therefore lie on the inactivated hemisphere of the brain.

Aftercare

Immediately after the procedure, you will be examined to make sure that everything went well. You will then be transferred to a ward and have to spend a few more hours in bed to prevent bleeding in the groin. You can get up in the late afternoon, but should refrain from exercise for another two days.

Hospitalization 1 day

Responsible senior physicians

Zsolt Kulcsar, PD Dr. med.

Director of Department, Department of Neuroradiology

Tel. +41 44 255 56 00
Specialties: Diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology, Minimally invasive treatment of neurovascular disease patterns., Neurovascular imaging

Tilman Schubert, PD Dr. med. univ.

Senior Attending Physician, Department of Neuroradiology

Tel. +41 44 255 56 00
Specialties: Interventional neuroradiology, Diagnostic Neuroradiology

Jawid Madjidyar, Dr. med.

Attending Physician, Department of Neuroradiology

Tel. +41 44 255 56 00
Specialties: Interventional neuroradiology, Diagnostic Neuroradiology, Diagnostic radiology

Patrick Thurner

Attending Physician, Department of Neuroradiology

Tel. +41 44 255 56 00

For patients

As a patient, you cannot register directly for a consultation. Please get a referral from your primary care physician, specialist. If you have any questions, please contact our patient secretariat.

Tel. +41 44 255 56 01
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For referrer

Simply register your patient for our neurovascular consultation hours online or by e-mail to the patient secretariat.

Tel. +41 44 255 56 01
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Responsible Department

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