[The first 24 hours - the unconscious patient from the neurologist's viewpoint].
About 50 % of non-traumatic impairments of consciousness are caused by primary                     cerebral diseases such as epilepsy, intracerebral hemorrhage or                     meningoencephalitis. In addition to primary cerebral conditions, internal                     diseases can also lead to focal neurological symptoms or neuroimaging                     abnormalities. Anamnestic informations, body inspection, clinical neurological                     examination as well as laboratory and imaging findings have to be added and                     categorized by a multilevel composition to establish a conclusive diagnosis.                     Simultaneously therapeutic measures for suspected primary cerebral diseases must                     be initiated, for example a rapid antibiotic treatment in case of a possible                     bacterial meningitis. A fast and structured diagnostic approach is crucial for                     ensuring a good prognosis and helps to miss relevant diagnostic steps. Potential                     diagnostic and therapeutic pitfalls must be kept in mind.
Klinik für Neurologie, Klinikum Nürnberg.
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W
Dietrich
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F
Erbguth
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003128:Coma / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed