clinical localisation of a neurological lesion
Last reviewed 01/2018
The basic function of the neurological history and examination is to localise a neurological lesion.
There are several reasons why localising a lesion is helpful:
- some pathological processes occur in anatomically restricted areas e.g. syringomyelia
- some diseases present as multifocal lesions e.g. mononeuritis multiplex
- some diseases present as a diffuse lesion e.g. peripheral neuropathy
- localising a lesion permits the most effective use of special investigations
- localising lesions may affect prognosis e.g. multiple sclerosis
The localisation of a lesion in the nervous system requires some anatomical knowledge and a few simple rules.