Focal neurological deficits

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Brain

Neurological deficits - focal

Home care depends on the type and the cause of neurologic loss. (Refer to the specific disorder causing the problem.)

If any loss of movement, sensation, or function occurs, call your health care provider.

The health care provider will take your medical history and perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions detailing neurological deficits may include:

• When did the problem start and how fast is it changing?
  • Was it sudden or gradual?
  • Has it worsened over seconds, minutes, hours, days, or months?
  • How long have you had the problem?
• Where is the loss of function?
  • Left arm?
  • Left leg?
  • Right arm?
  • Right leg?
  • Another location (be specific)?
• What deficits are present?
  • Loss of hearing?
  • Loss of movement?
  • Loss of strength?
  • Loss of vision?
  • Numbness?
  • Speech problem or language problem?
  • Other (be specific)?
• What other symptoms do you have?

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The physical examination will include a detailed examination of nervous system function.

Diagnostic tests vary depending on other symptoms and the suspected cause of the nerve function loss. Tests used ot evaluate focal neurologic deficits are aimed at locating the place in the nervous system that is involved. Common examples are:

• CT scan of the back, neck, or head
• EMG (electromyogram)/NCV (nerve conduction velocities)
• MRI of the back, neck, or head

Review Date: 06/24/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).