Core Principles of Acute Neurology

Prognostication of acute neurologic disease is a major task for neuro-hospitalists and neuro-intensivists. The family conference raises the delicate matter of how to decide that outcome is indefinitely poor and how to define disability. This online resource guides practitioners on how to communicate prognosis in acute neurologic conditions. It includes useful data on prognosis in all major neurologic conditions and provides practical advice on how to effectively lead such a conference and how to resolve potential conflicts. It also provides straightforward common sense on-the-spot advice and touches on all aspects of support of devastated families.Less

In any acute neurologic condition situations come up which generate questions about management. In a deteriorating patient there is a strain in decision making and many acute problems are hard calls. This online resource includes solutions for these reoccurring dilemmas. Each topic is carefully chosen and reflects clinical practice. It addresses how to recognize treatable coma, how to judge the severity of traumatic brain and spine injury, and discusses how to recognize neurosurgical emergencies. Also included are chapters on recognition and management of acute respiratory neuromuscular failure, as well as errors in CT scan evaluation of acute neurologic conditions. Less

Identifying Neuroemergencies provides practical information on how to best manage and triage patients in the first hour of admission in the Emergency Department. Physicians consider a neurologic emergency when the patient has clearly worsened and their neurologic signs have changed. Correct decisions are imperative: any type of neurocritical illness demands immediate treatment in the emergency department. Less

This title in the Core Principles of Acute Neurology series focuses on how certain neurologic conditions can inflict damage to other organ systems and what systemic complications most frequently jeopardize patients with primary neurological disorders. Providing Acute Care carefully summarizes the necessary orders and treatment plan and initial management of expected complications. Each system is discussed in a separate chapter and the crucial initial decisions are presented in an easy to read narrative. It provides a ready to use template and basic knowledge in patients sick enough to require close attention, but who do not need to be in an intensive care unit.Less

This resource is the first of four titles on the core principles of acute neurology, and is a primer - and a great deal more - on how to clinically recognize acute brain injury and to treat its consequences. Acute brain injury often changes the dynamics of cerebral blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid mechanics and eventually intracranial pressure; additionally, acute brain and spine injury impacts on heart function, blood pressure control, breathing regulation and even gastric and bladder function. This resource shows how it is necessary to not only understand these fundamentals, but also how certain measures could influence or correct these manifestations. Major concepts are illustrated to facilitate understanding, and each chapter concludes with a section that explains its relevance to clinical practice. Less

Critical illness increases the probability of a neurologic complication, and such complications commonly occur in severely affected patients. Neurologists are frequently asked to see these patients, often on an urgent basis. Decisions may have to be made in an evolving situation and when the primary diagnosis is unclear. Solving these critical consults requires a broad base of medical knowledge. Neurologic consultation may also detect an unsuspected neurologic disorder. This monograph provides a detailed discussion of the full spectrum of consults encountered in the medical and surgical intensive care unit, along with management suggestions.Less