ABSTRACT
Identifying and managing emergencies and neurological decline are among the most important skills for anyone taking care of neurologically injured patients. Herniation and coma happen when a mass is pushing on the brain causing dysfunction. The mass effect may force the brain to herniate out of a dural opening since the skull is unable to expand to accommodate the mass. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a group of neuromuscular and urogenital symptoms that generally present acutely and are due to compression of the bundle of nerve roots located at the base of the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries should be considered an emergency for two reasons: Hypotension and possible worsening neurological function if the injury is not complete and the spine is unstable. The ischemic stroke diagnosis is made by having a high suspicion and then obtaining imaging to confirm. The most important tenet is to act quickly when you suspect stroke.
