Dizziness and vertigo are among the most common neurologic complaints. The etiology of these conditions may range from the relatively benign, such as labyrinthitis, to the potentially serious, such as cardiac syncope or life-threatening cerebellar hemorrhage. Vertigo may be defined…
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is not a symptom; rather, intracranial hypertension is a pathologic state common to a variety of serious neurologic illnesses ( Table 13.1 ). All conditions that result in increased ICP are characterized by an increase in…
Few symptoms may be as disturbing or dramatic to a patient as acute visual loss. Although acute ocular diseases such as uveitis, retinal detachment, and some forms of glaucoma may require urgent evaluation by an ophthalmologist, a high percentage of…
The control of gait and posture involves numerous components of the nervous system. Gait ataxia implies decomposition in the coordinated control of posture and gait that are typically controlled by the cerebellum and other subcortical structures. A call for a…
Introduction Focal brain masses are a common reason for neurologic consultation, particularly in the inpatient setting. The main etiologic considerations include malignancy, infection, and, less commonly, inflammatory disease. The management of the brain mass varies widely depending on the etiology.…
The initial assessment of head injury in the emergency room (ER) can be frantic, with resuscitation measures, history taking, and examination occurring simultaneously. An organized approach is essential to ensure that vital components of the evaluation are not omitted. The…
The term delirium is synonymous with the term acute confusional state . Delirium is common in hospitalized patients, particularly in the elderly, and refers to an acute, global disorder of thinking and perception, characterized by impaired consciousness and inattention. Restlessness,…
Spinal cord compression is one of the few true neurologic emergencies. The more severe the syndrome, the more acute the injury is likely to have been. Unlike the brain, which may have remarkable functional recovery, the spinal cord, once damaged,…
Stroke should be suspected whenever a patient presents with the characteristic sudden onset of focal neurologic signs such as hemiparesis, hemisensory loss, hemianopia, aphasia, or ataxia ( Table 6.1 ). Time is of the essence for treating stroke because reperfusion…
Stupor and coma refer, respectively, to moderate and severe depression of the level of consciousness. The acute onset of stupor or coma is a medical emergency. A wide variety of metabolic and structural disorders can produce this state. Management should…