The neurologic examination is one component of the evaluation process including history, physical examination and ancillary investigations. The need for a neurologic examination may be signaled by an historical issue suggesting there is neurologic involvement such as a seizure or behavior change. Certain non-neurologic physical findings such as lameness, pain, ear and ocular abnormalities may be due to problems that will have a neurologic component. Whenever such problems find their way onto the problem list a neurologic examination should ensue. In addition every trauma patient requires neurologic evaluation. The neurologic examination’s purpose is confirmation of a deficit (or excess) suggesting neurologic impairment and localization of that impairment. A commitment must be made to localization or to uncertainty. Facing uncertainty the examination will be repeated or investigations ensue on multiple fronts. The differential diagnosis cannot be constructed without that localization.
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