Diagnosis of reversible causes of coma

Jonathan A. Edlow, Alejandro Rabinstein, Stephen J. Traub, Eelco F.M. Wijdicks

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Because coma has many causes, physicians must develop a structured, algorithmic approach to diagnose and treat reversible causes rapidly. The three main mechanisms of coma are structural brain lesions, diffuse neuronal dysfunction, and, rarely, psychiatric causes. The first priority is to stabilise the patient by treatment of life-threatening conditions, then to use the history, physical examination, and laboratory findings to identify structural causes and diagnose treatable disorders. Some patients have a clear diagnosis. In those who do not, the first decision is whether brain imaging is needed. Imaging should be done in post-traumatic coma or when structural brain lesions are probable or possible causes. Patients who do not undergo imaging should be reassessed regularly. If CT is non-diagnostic, a checklist should be used use to indicate whether advanced imaging is needed or evidence is present of a treatable poisoning or infection, seizures including non-convulsive status epilepticus, endocrinopathy, or thiamine deficiency.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2064-2076
Number of pages13
JournalThe Lancet
Volume384
Issue number9959
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 6 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Diagnosis of reversible causes of coma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this