B7.049 Prework: Disorders of Consciousness Flashcards
coma
pathological absence of consciousness
determination of levels of consciousness
stimulus required for eye opening
awake
spontaneous eye opening
lethargic
speech stimulus required for eye opening
stupor
pain stimulus required for eye opening
coma
no stimuli can open eyes
which systems can be affected to cause coma
cortical systems
RAS
lesion categories that can lead to coma
midline (RAS)
-this section more resistant to toxic/metabolic stimuli than cortical neurons
diffuse (cortex)
diencephalic lesion
affects RAS at level of thalamus
possible basilar occlusion
sudden onset
subtentorial lesion
affects RAS at level of brainstem
sudden onset of coma
supratentorial lesion
early: diencephalic
late: brainstem
caused by space occupying lesion that distorts the RAS due to herniation
focal signs can precede coma
metabolic lesion
diffuse throughout the cortex
delirium can precede coma
psychogenic lesion
psychological stressors precede coma
why is a neurologic examination useful in coma
- anatomic proximity of pupillary and oculomotor subsystems to RAS
- selective susceptibility of neurologic subsystems to metabolic insults (cortex susceptible, pupillary system resistant)
components of neuro exam in coma
level of consciousness
pupils
extraocular movements
motor function
parasympathetic pupillary system susceptibility
resistant to toxic-metabolic processes
sympathetic pupillary system susceptibility
sensitive to toxic-metabolic processes