The radiology of nontraumatic coma.
This article describes a logical approach to the neuroimaging evaluation of patients with coma. The decision tree analysis provides an efficient method and attempts to convey the logical sequential concepts of analysis of CCT findings in patients presenting in stupor or coma. The sequential approach tabulated serves as a good mnemonic for clinicians faced daily with decisions to be made in the evaluation and management of comatose patients. The approach also provides a framework for subsequent statistical (Bayesian or other) analysis of efficacy, cost effectiveness, and impact on clinical practice and health care delivery.
D001284:Atrophy; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003128:Coma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013354:Empyema, Subdural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed