Does the radiographic report of a coma patient indicate a massive stroke?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read the attached brain CT (computed tomography) scan report (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity). Unfortunately, the report indicates a bilateral stroke in the occipital area (in the back of the brain). And the strokes have moderate size, but the size is not essential. It is the location that matters. We call it a top of the basilar syndrome. It means that the distal part of the basilar artery has been occluded. This will cause ischemia in the bilateral occipital area and some brainstem regions and may cause coma and eventually leading to a vegetative state.

I recommend an EEG (electroencephalogram) study. Because, in some rare cases, the cause of coma in such strokes may be non-convulsive status epilepticus, which may be subsided by antiepileptic drugs and result in some improvement in consciousness.

Thanks.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is a hard question. Because it depends on many factors like the consciousness score, usually called the four score in the ICU (intensive care unit). Unfortunately, the chances of regaining consciousness are low in patients with constant low scores for more than three days after the brain insult.

Finally, it is time that reveals the proper answer.

Thanks.