Approach to Acute Weakness
Weakness has a broad differential diagnosis. A paradigm for organizing possibilities is to consider what part of the nervous system is involved, ranging from brain, spinal cord, nerve roots, and…
Diagnosis of Coma
The differential diagnosis for the comatose patient is includes structural abnormality, seizure, encephalitis, metabolic derangements, and toxicologic etiologies. Identifying and treating the underlying pathology in a timely manner is critical…
Emergency Neuropharmacology
Management of acute neurologic disorders in the emergency department is multimodal and may require the use of medications to decrease morbidity and mortality secondary to neurologic injury. Clinicians should form…
Functional Seizures
Functional or psychogenic seizures have proved a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for centuries. Functional seizures can look and feel similar to epileptic seizures but are instead a common and highly…
Central Nervous System Infections in the Immunocompromised Adult Presenting to the Emergency Department
Over the past 2 decades, the population of immunocompromised patients has increased dramatically in the United States. These patients are at elevated risk for both community-acquired and opportunistic central nervous system…
Diagnosis and Initial Emergency Department Management of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Atraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage represents a small proportion of strokes, but is a true medical emergency that results in significant morbidity and mortality. Making the diagnosis can be challenging and misdiagnosis…
Modern Neuroimaging Techniques in Diagnosing Transient Ischemic Attack and Acute Ischemic Stroke
Key points • Noncontrast CT is the first-line imaging of acute stroke symptoms to assess for intracranial hemorrhage and evidence of edema related to ischemia. • Head and neck CTA…
Neurologic Emergencies at the Extremes of Age
The diagnosis and management of neurologic conditions are more complex at the extremes of age than in the average adult. In the pediatric population, neurologic emergencies are somewhat rare and…
Headache in the Emergency Department
In the initial assessment of the headache patient, the emergency physician must consider several dangerous secondary causes of headache. A thorough history and physical examination, along with consideration of a…
Traumatic Injuries to the Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nervous System
Both blunt and penetrating trauma can cause injuries to the peripheral and central nervous systems. Emergency providers must maintain a high index of suspicion, especially in the setting of polytrauma….
