Coma may be defined as a state of prolonged unresponsive unconsciousness. As such, it is
not a disease process, but rather a symptom that may be caused by a variety of disease …

Coma is a medical emergency that can challenge the diagnostic and management skills of
any clinician. A systematic and logical approach is necessary to make the correct diagnosis …

PREVIEW Coma is the most severe form of unresponsiveness, in which a patient is totally
unaware of self and surroundings. With the patient so disengaged during examination …

Many patients present to the emergency department with an alteration in mental status
simply as a complication of many serious illnesses. A subset of these patients will present …

Coma is the disorder of consciousness because of the damage to diffused bilateral cerebral
hemisphere cortex or reticular activating system. Coma can be caused by neurogenic (head …

A thorough examination of a comatose patient is essential given the spectrum of clinical
diagnoses. The most immediate threat to patients is airway, breathing and circulation. All …

Objectives: Identify common and reversible causes of coma. Describe the difference
between coma, stupor, obtundation, and lethargy. Review considerations critical to the …

Background Coma of unknown origin is an emergency caused by a variety of possibly life-
threatening pathologies. Although lethality is high, there are currently no generally accepted …

An acutely comatose patient constitutes a medical emergency until proved otherwise.
Managing these emergencies requires organized teamwork to recognize and treat life …

Coma is caused by temporary or permanent damage to the ascending reticular system or to
both cerebral hemispheres. It follows that the differential diagnosis of coma is wide …