[Limitations of neurologic intensive care].

The indication for intensive care in incurable neurological diseases is discussed. An attempt is made to analyse the problem by presenting two cases of multiple sclerosis and two other cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There is a clear indication for intensive-care treatment in all cases with life-threatening symptoms and complications, provided there seems to be a chance of reversibility in spite of an eventually poor prognosis. If there is no chance of improvement, and the illness has reached its terminal stage, we do not think, that intensive care is of any benefit for the patient. However, we are not able to make a decision should he insist on such a treatment. When the patient is doomed to die in any case, there is no obligation to inform him about a life-prolonging treatment which is not indicated.