[Emergencies in neurological patients]

Patients with neurological diseases amount to about one fifth of hospital admissions. Out of the numerous emergency situations three leading presentations are discussed. In an isolated epileptic grand mal seizure immediate treatment is not needed, whereas the different forms of status epilepticus ask for emergency measures. Acute headache may be a sign of subarachnoid hemorrhage or an other dangerous intracranial affection. Several harmless forms of acute headache are discussed. Central paLsies with acute presentation are most often of cerebrovascular origin. Peripheral palsies including Bell's palsy are discussed.