Neurological Emergencies During Pregnancy

This article serves as a comprehensive review of neurologic emergencies in pregnancy. Common initial presentations of neuroemergencies are reviewed with a clinical algorithm. Neurovascular disorders in pregnancy are reviewed, including acute ischemic strokes with data on tPA and thrombectomy; cerebral venous sinus thrombosis diagnosis and management; posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome management; reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome; and intracerebral hemorrhage. Attention is paid to management of cerebral edema and safety of osmotic therapies. A review of seizures in pregnancy is provided, including new-onset causes and decreased seizure thresholds. For status epilepticus, a low teratogenicity risk medication protocol in pregnancy is provided.