[Pitfalls in the management of neurologic emergencies]

Neurology experienced a continuous development in the last decades, in parts because of the advancement of neuroradiological procedures. Earlier and traditionally known as diagnostic branch, neurology developed more and more also as a therapeutic discipline. In this context, the management of neurological emergencies became more and more important. The rapid and correct recognition of symptoms and signs of potentially serious neurological illnesses, the decision about the application of invasive and not always risk-free treatment procedures, as well as the therapeutic management of neurological emergencies became for the neurologist a difficult, but unavoidable challenge. With the presentation of the annual statistic of the neurological emergencies at the university hospital of Zurich (USZ), as well as with the discussion of a few illustrative clinical cases the authors give an overview about this important aspect of clinical neurology.