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Neurocritical Care
Published in: Neurocritical Care 1/2017

01-09-2017

Emergency Neurological Life Support: Acute Non-traumatic Weakness

Authors: Anna Finley Caulfield, Oliver Flower, Jose A. Pineda, Shahana Uddin

Published in: Neurocritical Care | Special Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Acute non-traumatic weakness may be life-threatening if it involves the respiratory muscles and/or is associated with autonomic dysfunction. Most patients presenting with acute muscle weakness have a worsening neurological disorder that requires a rapid, systematic evaluation and detailed neurological exam to localize the disorder. Urgent laboratory tests and neuroimaging are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Because acute weakness is a common presenting sign of neurological emergencies, it was chosen as an Emergency Neurological Life Support protocol. Causes of acute non-traumatic weakness are discussed here by both presenting clinical signs and anatomical location. For each diagnosis, key features of the history, examination, investigations, and treatment are outlined in the included tables or in the “Appendix”.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Emergency Neurological Life Support: Acute Non-traumatic Weakness
Authors
Anna Finley Caulfield
Oliver Flower
Jose A. Pineda
Shahana Uddin
Publication date
01-09-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Neurocritical Care / Issue Special Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 1541-6933
Electronic ISSN: 1556-0961
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-017-0450-3

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