Neurological disorders

This chapter discusses neurological disorders and includes discussion on delirium, status epilepticus, meningitis and encephalitis, intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, ischaemic stroke, Guillain–Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, intensive care unit-acquired weakness, tetanus, botulism, rehabilitation and critical illness, and hyperthermias. The aim is to provide a summary of the extensive complex neuological pathologies that can present to an intensive care clinician. Where appropriate, descriptions are provided on clinical presentation, epidemiology, diagnosis (including investigations), and management. Of note, some of the conditions covered can arise on the ward or prehospital environments with subsequent requirement for intensive care, but they can also arise de novo on the intensive care unit itself, highlighting the need for intensive care clinicians to maintain a broad knowledge and understanding of their presentation and management.