ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a system of sequential analysis of codified troubleshooting of the problems within the nervous system. It focuses on determining first the localization and then the etiological diagnosis. At first glance, it might seem that this approach is contrary to the classical clinical method of first eliciting a history for etiological diagnosis and then performing a physical examination for localization. The process includes gathering the history and performing a clinical examination, including the derivation of a minimum dataset for the neurological examination. The data from the neurological examination will be codified in an Expanded Localization Matrix to assist in working out the location of the patient's lesion. The usual approach of most clinicians is to assume that the symptoms have an organic basis until further information is gathered. Certain aspects will emerge during the course of the history and neurological exam, which will alert the physician to suspect that the symptoms may not have an organic basis.
