Stupor and Coma - Sachen Flashcards
Impaired consciousness means what?
1. Diffuse or bilateral hemisphere involvement OR 2. Brainstem ARAS involvement OR 3. BOTH
Stupor
Arouses only to noxious stimuli (purposeful motor responses only)
Locked-In state
Aroused and aware, complete paralysis except vertical gaze
Akinetic mutism
Appears aroused but not aware, no spontaneous motor activity
Neck stiffness causes
Meningitis, sub-arachnoid hemorrhage
Acne cause?
Long-term anti-epilepsy drugs
Dark pigmentation in creases of hands/skin
Addison’s disease
Edema
Hepatic or renal failure
Purpura
Meningococcal meningitis
Needle marks
Drug OD
Rash
Meningitis, viral encephalitis, rickettsia
Musty breath
Hepatic failure
Fruity odor
Ketoacidosis
3 categories of causes of coma
Supratentorial mass (pressure-producing)
Infratentorial lesions involving brainstem
Diffuse or multifocal disease
Unilateral hemisphere coma causes (5)
Intraparenchymal emorrhage MCA infarct Hematoma Abscess Neoplasm
Bilateral hemisphere coma causes (6)
Subarachnoid hemorrhage Multiple infarcts Venous thrombosis Cerebral edema Hydrocephalus Metastases
Intratentorial coma causes
Pontine hemorrhage (–> hyperthermia)
Basilar artery occlusion
Central pontine myelinolysis (hyponatremia cure)
Cerebellar hemorrhage/infarct/neoplasm/abscess
Brainstem neoplasm/infarct
Diffuse causes of coma
Hypoxia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia (NON-KETOTIC), hyponatremia, hepatic failure (EtOH, hepatitis), malignant hypertension, toxins, drugs, seizures
ESSENTIAL elements to neural exam (5)
Pupillary responses EOM movements Motor response Corneal reflex Respiratory pattern
ALMOST essential elements to neural exam (4)
Neck stiffness
Cough/gag reflex
Fundoscopic exam (papilledema)
Carotid auscultation
Sympathetic path from brain to pupil
SO, what test result could mean a lesion along this path?
Hypothalamus, IMLCC, superior cervical ganglion, up carotid artery, CN V1, long ciliary nerve (dilator)
Constricted pupil
Parasympathetic path from brain to pupil
E-W nucleus (midbrain), CN 3, ciliary ganglion, short ciliary nerve (constrictor)