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Evaluation of the Poorly Responsive Patient

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Abstract

Evaluation of the poorly responsive patient requires an organized approach. One aim of this chapter is to meticulously outline an examination technique, delineate the anatomic basis for the observed abnormal neurologic signs, review pertinent neurophysiology and, lastly, discuss the differential diagnosis. The differential diagnosis is formulated after answering a primary question. Does this patient have a focal lesion, multifocal lesions, or global cerebral dysfunction? This seemingly simple problem is often a formidable one.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    Jack N. Alpert MD

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  1. Jack N. Alpert MD
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Correspondence to Jack N. Alpert MD .

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Alpert, J.N. (2012). Evaluation of the Poorly Responsive Patient. In: The Neurologic Diagnosis. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6724-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6724-4_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-6723-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-6724-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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