Abstract
Acute motor dysfunction results from loss of function in any part of the neural axis connecting motor neurons in the brain with different levels of the motor unit (spinal motor neurons, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junctions, and skeletal muscle). The motor dysfunction may present with symptoms of muscle hypotonia, paralysis, spasticity, or as “movement disorder.” When diagnosing the cause of an acute motor dysfunction, it is helpful to combine information on (1) the type of motor dysfunction (e.g., presence and distribution of paralysis, ataxia, involuntary movements), (2) identification of the anatomical level of the deficit (supraspinal, spinal cord, peripheral motor nerve, neuromuscular junction, skeletal muscle, musculoskeletal system), and (3) the underlying pathogenic cause of the dysfunction (e.g., infection, inflammation, metabolic, compression, hereditary). In the initial acute situation, be observant on urgent situations necessitating immediate diagnostic work-up and interventions.
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Sejersen, T., Wang, C.H. (2014). Acute Disturbance of Motor Function. In: Sejersen, T., Wang, C. (eds) Acute Pediatric Neurology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-491-3_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-491-3_4
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