Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects 1.3 million North Americans, with more than half occurring after trauma. In Brazil, few studies have evaluated the epidemiology of SCI with an estimated incidence of 16 to 26 per million per year. The final extent of the spinal cord damage results from primary and secondary mechanisms that start at the moment of the injury and go on for days, and even weeks, after the event. There is convincing evidence that hypotension contributes to secondary injury after acute SCI. Surgical decompression aims at relieving mechanical pressure on the microvascular circulation, therefore reducing hypoxia and ischemia. The role of methylprednisolone as a therapeutic option is still a matter of debate, however most guidelines do not recommend its regular use. Neuroprotective therapies aiming to reduce further injury have been studied and many others are underway. Neuroregenerative therapies are being extensively investigated, with cell based therapy being very promising.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a condition with a considerable incidence variation worldwide. In Brazil, the exact epidemiology of aneurysmal SAH is unknown. The most common presenting symptom is headache, usually described as the worst headache ever felt. Head computed tomography, when performed within six hours of the ictus, has a sensitivity of nearly 100%. It is important to classify the hemorrhage based on clinical and imaging features as a way to standardize communication. Classification also has prognostic value. In order to prevent rebleeding, there still is controversy regarding the ideal blood pressure levels and the use of antifibrinolytic therapy. The importance of definitely securing the aneurysm by endovascular coiling or surgical clipping cannot be overemphasized. Hydrocephalus, seizures, and intracranial pressure should also be managed. Delayed cerebral ischemia is a severe complication that should be prevented and treated aggressively. Systemic complications including cardiac and pulmonary issues, sodium abnormalities, fever, and thromboembolism frequently happen and may have na impact upon prognosis, requiring proper management.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), defined as bleeding into the brain parenchyma, is a significant public health issue. Although it accounts for only 10 to 15% of strokes, it is associated with the highest morbidity and mortality rates. Despite advances in the field of stroke and neurocritical care, the principles of acute management have fundamentally remained the same over many years. The main treatment strategies include aggressive blood pressure control, early hemostasis, reversal of coagulopathies, clot evacuation through open surgical or minimally invasive surgical techniques, and the management of raised intracranial pressure.

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