title: [The locked-in syndrome].
abstract: The locked-in syndrome is poorly understood, and may be misdiagnosed as coma. The syndrome consists of complete paralysis of all four limbs and the lower cranial nerve pairs, associated with an unaltered consciousness. Vertical eye movements and blinking remain intact, so allowing some form of communication by way of eye codes. Obstruction of the vertebral and basilar vascular system is the major cause, but the six cases reported show the aetiological diversity of this syndrome. If the vascular obstruction is diagnosed within the first few hours, fibrinolytic therapy may be considered. Although the patients usually die within a few days or after several months, some rare cases of recovery after several weeks have been reported. Intensive care is required by these patients (tracheostomy, artificial ventilation, intensive nursing care); the physicians and nursing staff looking after them should always keep in mind that these patients are conscious and able to communicate.
authors.affiliation: Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, Centre Hospitalier Paul-Morel, Vesoul.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Delacour
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Floriot
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wagschal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ritz
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Faller
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Daoudal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noirot
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001488:Basilar Artery; D003128:Coma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003422:Critical Care; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications*
vernacular_title: Le syndrome de verrouillage.