Profile of neurological emergencies in Nigeria

Abstract

Neurological emergencies arise frequently and can have debilitating long term effects if not recognized and treated. A study at the emergency department of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital showed that of 1104 adult emergencies, 284 (25.7%) were neurological. There was a male: female ratio of 1.3:1 and the ages ranged from 16 to 95 years with a mean age of 49.76 years and a median age of 50. The three leading neurological emergencies were – stroke (52.5%), meningoencephalitis (11.3%), and hypertensive encephalopathy (7%). This review spotlights these three leading emergencies in terms of their epidemiology, risk factors, aetiology, clinical presentations and management. The paper further highlights the challenges in the diagnosis and management of these neurological emergencies in this area of the world and how the prevention and recognition of these conditions may be improved.