What constitutes a neurosurgical emergency?

Because of the large numbers of head injuries, physicians are frequently called upon to evaluate and initiate treatment in these acute emergencies. Deterioration of such patients results from direct injury to the brain tissue and a subsequent increase in the intracranial pressure. The pathophysiology of brain injury is manifested in a cycle of detrimental events with increased tissue damage and progressive neurological deficit. Current concepts in management of head injuries aimed at interrupting this cycle of events are discussed in detail.