Clinical Course and Anticipating Outcome

This chapter approaches the complex task of determining prognosis by reviewing general principles first, followed by review of the recovery potential of individual neurologic symptoms, and finally, providing prognostic information organized by specific neurologic pathology. Outcome determination is what we do and based on findings on repeat clinical assessment. Outcome generally is determined at onset, but another injury from a complication may jeopardize the chances of full recovery. How a patient fares in the hospital in the following week is a major determinant of prognosis.