Locked-in syndrome: a catastrophic complication after surgery.
We describe the locked-in syndrome in a 31-yr-old patient after right upper lobectomy for suspected metastasis. After surgery, vertical eye movement was her only means of communication. She remained in a 'locked-in' state for 7 months before dying. Post-mortem examination showed extensive metastatic tumour deposition in the ventral pons. We discuss the clinical features of this syndrome and factors that may affect onset, diagnosis and management.
Breen
P
P
Department of Anaesthesia Intensive care and Pain Management, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland. patrickbreen@eircom.net
Hannon
V
V
D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011149:Pons; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D013577:Syndrome