Table 4.
General physical and neurological examination findings: Bivariable association with receiving ED neuroimaging.
| Finding | n (%) | Received ED neuroimaging if finding was present, n/N (%) | Received ED neuroimaging if finding was absent, n/N (%) | RR (95% CI) | Clinician “unsure” whether finding present, n (%) | Missing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General physical examination findings | ||||||
| Ill-appearing general appearance1 | 0 | 0 | 73 (32.6) | |||
| Altered mental status1 | 0 | 0 | 74 (33) | |||
| Neck stiffness | 2 (0.9) | 0/2 (0) | 72/218 (33) | 0.5 (0, 6.4) | 0 | 4 (1.8) |
| Neurocutaneous findings | 5 (2.2) | 1/5 (20) | 69/208 (33.2) | 0.6 (0.1, 3.5) | 5 (2.2) | 6 (2.7) |
| Neurological examination findings | ||||||
| Head tilt | 2 (0.9) | 0/2 (0) | 71/215 (33) | 0.5 (0, 6.4) | 2 (0.9) | 5 (2.2) |
| Abnormal speech | 0 | 2 (0.9) | 5 (2.2) | |||
| Cranial nerve abnormality | 2 (0.9) | 2/2 (100) | 72/216 (33.3) | 3 (2.5, 3.6) | 5 (2.2) | 1 (0.4) |
| Extraocular movements abnormal | 1 (0.4) | 0/1 (0) | 74/222 (33.3) | 0.7 (0.1, 8.3) | 0 | 1 (0.4) |
| Pupillary reactivity abnormal | 0 | 2 (0.9) | 1 (0.4) | |||
| Nystagmus present | 0 | 2 (0.9) | 2 (0.9) | |||
| Papilledema present | 5 (2.2) | 5/5 (100) | 52/167 (31.1) | 3.2 (2.6, 4) | 44 (19.6) | 8 (3.6) |
| Visual fields abnormal | 1 (0.4) | 1/1 (100) | 43/143 (30.1) | 3.3 (2.6, 4.3) | 67 (29.9) | 13 (5.8) |
| Focal motor function abnormality | 2 (0.9) | 2/2 (100) | 72/221 (32.6) | 3.1 (2.5, 3.7) | 0 | 1 (0.4) |
| Focal sensory function abnormality | 2 (0.9) | 2/2 (100) | 69/207 (33.3) | 3 (2.5, 3.6) | 13 (5.8) | 2 (0.9) |
| Deep tendon reflexes abnormal | 1 (0.4) | 1/1 (100) | 66/196 (33.7) | 3 (2.4, 3.6) | 22 (9.8) | 5 (2.2) |
| Babinski reflex present | 1 (0.4) | 1/1 (100) | 62/165 (37.6) | 2.7 (2.2, 3.2) | 50 (22.3) | 8 (3.6) |
| Gait abnormal | 2 (0.9) | 2/2 (100) | 65/213 (30.5) | 3.3 (2.7, 4) | 7 (3.1) | 2 (0.9) |
| Tandem gait abnormal | 4(1.8) | 4/4 (100) | 56/187 (29.9) | 3.3 (2.7, 4.2) | 26 (11.6) | 7 (3.1) |
| Pronator drift present | 0 | 22 (9.8) | 6 (2.7) | |||
| Romberg test positive | 4 (1.8) | 3/4 (75) | 57/191 (29.8) | 2.5 (1.4, 4.6) | 23 (10.3) | 6 (2.7) |
| Dysmetria present | 1 (0.4) | 1/1 (100) | 64/202 (31.7) | 3.2 (2.6, 3.9) | 18 (8) | 3 (1.3) |
1
This variable was not collected until starting with patient 74.