Pediatric emergency medicine trisk 3999 3999

CHAPTER 122 ■ NEUROSURGICAL
EMERGENCIES
JULIE McMANEMY, KATRINA DUCIS, ANDREW JEA

GOALS OF EMERGENCY THERAPY
A patient with a neurologic disorder is considered a neurosurgical
emergency when any delay of treatment may lead to serious permanent
neurologic morbidity or death. Diagnostic tests and radiographic evaluation
should be tailored to early recognition of neurosurgical emergencies to
assist with clinical management and appropriate neurosurgical consultation.
KEY POINTS
Headache is a common presenting complaint.
Atraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) may accompany
cerebral vascular malformations.
Pediatric hydrocephalus often requires surgical intervention.
RELATED CHAPTERS
Signs and Symptoms
Injury: Head: Chapter 41
Pain: Headache: Chapter 59
Vomiting: Chapter 81
Medical, Surgical, and Trauma Emergencies
Neurologic Emergencies: Chapter 97
Neurotrauma: Chapter 113

SPONTANEOUS (NONTRAUMATIC) INTRACEREBRAL
HEMORRHAGE