Some Common Neurologic Pitfalls

Abstract

A fatalistic attitude regarding strokes is no longer justifiable. To apply rational therapy, accurate anatomic and pathologic diagnosis is necessary, and this requires consideration of various causes of stroke and of conditions commonly mistaken for apoplexy. Parkinsonism, too, may mimic other disorders, including functional disease. The cause of epileptic seizures may be more serious than the seizures themselves, and treatment of the cause may eradicate the seizures. Cervical spondylosis causes a wide variety of neurologic disturbances. Lumbar disk disease has been overemphasized, with disregard for other causes of sciatic neuropathy. Dementia has many causes, some remediable and reversible. The diagnosis of psychogenic disorders must be subjected to the same strict canons as are applied to organic diseases.