Initial assessment of patients with neurologic dysfunction

This article describes a practical approach to the initial assessment of patients with neurologic dysfunction. First, the patient's clinical signs are determined by obtaining a medical history and performing an examination. Based on these results, the disease is localized to a particular region of the nervous system. Analysis of the neuroanatomic diagnosis in conjunction with the history is used to establish a list of differential diagnoses. The clinician then recommends appropriate laboratory tests to confirm or exclude the diagnostic possibilities. By following a logical process of clinical reasoning, the practitioner is often able to deduce a clinical diagnosis and prognosis and offer recommendations for treatment.