RT Book, Section
A1 Lowenstein, Daniel H.
A1 Martin, Joseph B.
A1 Hauser, Stephen L.
A2 Jameson, J. Larry
A2 Fauci, Anthony S.
A2 Kasper, Dennis L.
A2 Hauser, Stephen L.
A2 Longo, Dan L.
A2 Loscalzo, Joseph
SR Print(0)
ID 1155957853
T1 Approach to the Patient with Neurologic Disease
T2 Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 20e
YR 2018
FD 2018
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781259644016
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1155957853
RD 2024/04/25
AB Neurologic  diseases  are  common  and  costly.  According  to  estimates  by  the  World  Health  Organization,  neurologic  disorders  affect  over  1  billion  people  worldwide,  constitute  12%  of  the  global  burden  of  disease,  and  cause  14%  of  global  deaths  (Table  415-1).  These  numbers  are  only  expected  to  increase  as  the  world’s  population  ages.  Because  therapies  now  exist  for  many  neurologic  disorders,  a  skillful  approach  to  diagnosis  is  essential.  Errors  commonly  result  from  an  overreliance  on  costly  neuroimaging  procedures  and  laboratory  tests,  which,  while  useful,  do  not  substitute  for  an  adequate  history  and  examination.  The  proper  approach  begins  with  the  patient  and  focuses  the  clinical  problem  first  in  anatomic  and  then  in  pathophysiologic  terms;  only  then  should  a  specific  neurologic  diagnosis  be  entertained.  This  method  ensures  that  technology  is  judiciously  applied,  a  correct  diagnosis  is  established  in  an  efficient  manner,  and  treatment  is  promptly  initiated.