Presence of Klùver-Bucy syndrome as a positive prognostic feature for the remission of traumatic prolonged disturbances of consciousness.
After severe brain injury a prolonged disturbance of consciousness may occur, sometimes with transient apallic syndrome (awakening without awareness of self and surroundings). Klùver-Bucy is described in the literature as a typical post-traumatic remission phase, in which the patients show an increase of oral automatisms and/or of sexual drive. The study describes Klùver-Bucy syndrome as a sign associated with favourable prognosis in the outcome of traumatic disturbances of consciousness in survivors of head trauma. Seventy-seven patients who had suffered severe brain injury due to traffic accidents entered into the study. All had experienced a relatively benign clinical course since they recovered full awareness, that is were able to communicate with their relatives. The occurrence of prolonged coma, of apallic syndrome and of Klùver-Bucy syndrome are related to outcome date in regards to the patient's work and family function at a mean of 32 months later. In particular, the duration of the apallic syndrome (duration of unconsciousness) was significantly correlated with the global outcome of the patients (p < 0.001).
Formisano
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Rehabilitation Center, Clinica S. Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Saltuari
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Gerstenbrand
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003128:Coma / Q000209:etiology; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013577:Syndrome