Neurology

The department takes care of all adult neurological pathologies, whether acute or chronic. It is the reference and referral center for the other neurology departments in the Western Normandy region (Alençon, Avranches, Cherbourg, Lisieux, Saint-Lô) .

A 24-hour on-site guard provides permanent care for all urgent neurological pathologies, in particular cerebrovascular accidents ( CVA ), possibly for the entire territory through the use of telemedicine. The work is carried out in close collaboration with the neuroimaging technical platform (scanner, MRI , interventional neuroradiology) , functional neurological explorations (electroneuromyography, electroencephalography, evoked potentials, RTMS) and the functional rehabilitation department.

The service is a teaching and university training ground for medical students (external and foreign students) , interns and young doctors. It is a stakeholder and collaborates closely with two INSERM : U1077 “Neuropsychology and Imaging of Human Memory”; U1237 "Physiopathology and imaging of neurological disorders".

Consultations are open from Monday morning to Friday afternoon. They are provided by all the neurologists of the neurology department. These are “general neurology” consultations or specific consultations dedicated to particular pathologies based on reference and competence centres. Some consultations are relocated: Alençon, Avranches, Flers.

The Neuro-Vascular Unit ( UNV ) has a capacity of 26 beds, including 10 intensive care beds. It welcomes patients with a stroke (cerebral infarction, transient ischemic attack, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral venous thrombosis) and has the staff and equipment to provide care in the acute phase of strokes with continuous monitoring as well as a privileged access to the neuro-imaging technical platform. In emergency, revascularization techniques can be performed for patients with cerebral infarction, by infusions (thrombolysis) , and/or by mechanical means (thrombectomy) for which the CHU Caen Normandie is the referral center for the region and at the -of the. All paramedical staff (nurse, caregiver, speech therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, neuropsychologist) are also trained to treat patients with stroke .

-stroke consultations with a nurse specially trained in neurovascular pathology are organized following hospitalizations at the UNV. Similarly, consultations with physiotherapists are available to take stock of the post- stroke and adapt the treatment.

This unit is also an expert center for rare neurovascular diseases (CADASIL, hereditary cerebral amyloid angiopathy, etc.).

The General Neurology Unit ( UNG ) has a capacity of 20 beds. It welcomes patients with neurological symptoms requiring a diagnostic evaluation, additional explorations or the implementation and/or adaptation of a treatment (e.g.: epileptic seizure, headache, dizziness, abnormal movements, multiple sclerosis plaques, brain tumors) .

It also welcomes and supports the acute complications of chronic neurological diseases such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It also has 2 palliative care beds dedicated to neurological conditions.

The Day Hospitalization Unit ( HDJ ) has a capacity of 4 beds and 4 armchairs and the Weekly Hospitalization Unit ( HDS ) has a capacity of 4 beds.

They receive patients requiring diagnostic assessments including scheduled additional explorations (lumbar puncture, arteriography, MRI , etc.) , treatment courses in a hospital setting (multiple sclerosis, chronic polyradiculoneuritis, etc.) , or a follow-up assessment of chronic neurological diseases ( amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neuromuscular pathologies, Parkinson's disease…) .

Neurological Functional Explorations welcome patients (children and adults) ( EEG ) , electromyogram ( EMG ), evoked potentials and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) examinations .

Specialized consultations for epilepsy are also offered.

The neurological functional explorations department has a significant intra-hospital cross-functional activity:

• Carrying out EEGs for all hospital departments, particularly in neurology, medical and surgical intensive care, pediatrics, neonatology, geriatrics, emergencies, etc.
• Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in pediatric orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery (interventions on scoliosis, brain tumors, etc.).

The department works in close collaboration with the Neurology department for the care of epileptic patients. Consultations are provided by 2 neurologist practitioners from the Functional Neurological Explorations department but also by practitioners from the neurology department.

For epilepsy consultations, appointments are offered upon written request from the patient's general practitioner and/or specialist. Neurophysiological explorations, which are essential for monitoring this pathology, are carried out in the Neurological Functional Explorations department for routine electroencephalograms, and in the Sleep Unit for long-term EEGs They are carried out by paramedical personnel specifically trained in this pathology.

A specific Epilepsy-Work consultation is offered in collaboration with Professor Bénédicte Clin-Godard Occupational Health and Occupational Pathology department .

A number of electroencephalograms performed in other hospitals in the region, and in particular the majority of EEGs , are sent to us for remote interpretation via a dedicated platform.

In addition, activities that are more confidential because they are very specialized are carried out only at the CHU de Caen (single fiber, oculography in parkinsonian syndromes +, rTMS in functional paralysis, EMG of the perineum, etc.).