Chapter 5 Stupor and Coma

Definitions

Consciousness may be defined as a state of awareness of self and surroundings. Alterations in consciousness are conceptualized into two types. The first type affects arousal and is the subject of this chapter. The second type involves cognitive and affective mental function, sometimes referred to as the “content” of mental function. Examples of the latter type of alteration in consciousness are dementia (see Chapter 6), delusions, confusion, and inattention (see Chapter 9). These altered states of consciousness, with the exception of advanced dementia, do not affect the level of arousal. Sleep, the only normal form of altered consciousness, is discussed in Chapter 68.

The term delirium describes a clouding of consciousness with reduced ability to sustain attention to environmental stimuli. Diagnostic criteria for delirium from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-R) include at least two of the following: (1) perceptual disturbance (misinterpretations, illusions, or hallucinations), (2) incoherent speech at times, (3) disturbance of sleep/wake cycle, and (4) increased or decreased psychomotor activity. Delirium is a good example of a confusional state in which a mild decline in arousal may be clinically difficult to separate from a change in cognitive or affective mental function. In clinical practice, the exact boundary between different forms of altered consciousness may be vague. Alterations in arousal, though often referred to as “altered levels of consciousness,” do not actually form discrete levels but rather are made up of a continuum of subtly changing behavioral states that range from alert to comatose. These states are dynamic and thus may change with time. Four points on the continuum of arousal are often used in describing the clinical state of a patient: alert, lethargic, stuporous, and comatose. Alert refers to a perfectly normal state of arousal. Lethargy lies between alertness and stupor. Stupor is a state of baseline unresponsiveness that requires repeated application of vigorous stimuli to achieve arousal. Coma is a state of complete unresponsiveness to arousal in which the patient lies with the eyes closed. The terms lethargy and stupor cover a broad area on the continuum of behavioral states and thus are subject to misinterpretation by subsequent observers of a patient when used without further qualification. In clinical practice, in which relatively slight changes in arousal may be significant, only the terms alert and comatose (the endpoints of the continuum) have enough precision to be used without further qualification.

Conditions That May Mimic Coma

Several different states of impaired cognition or consciousness may appear similar to coma or be confused with it (Table 5.1). Moreover, patients who survive the initial coma may progress to certain of these syndromes after varying lengths of time. Once sleep/wake cycles become established, true coma is no longer present. Differentiation of these states from true coma is important to allow administration of appropriate therapy and help determine prognosis.

Table 5.1 Behavioral States Confused with Coma

In the locked-in syndrome (de-efferented state), patients are alert and aware of their environment but are quadriplegic, with lower cranial nerve palsies resulting from bilateral ventral pontine lesions that involve the corticospinal, corticopontine, and corticobulbar tracts. These patients are awake and alert but are voluntarily able only to move their eyes vertically or blink. The locked-in syndrome most often is observed as a consequence of pontine infarction due to basilar artery thrombosis. Other causes include central pontine myelinolysis and brainstem mass lesions. A state similar to the locked-in syndrome also may be seen with severe polyneuropathy—in particular, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, myasthenia gravis, and poisoning with neuromuscular blocking agents.

In the persistent vegetative state (PVS), patients have lost cognitive neurological function but retain vegetative or noncognitive neurological function such as cardiac action, respiration, and maintenance of blood pressure. This state follows coma and is characterized by absence of cognitive function or awareness of the environment despite a preserved sleep/wake cycle. Spontaneous movements may occur, and the eyes may open in response to external stimuli, but the patient does not speak or obey commands. Diagnostic criteria for PVS are provided in Box 5.1. Diagnosis of this condition should be made cautiously and only after extended periods of observation. A number of poorly defined syndromes have been used synonymously with PVS, including apallic syndrome or state, akinetic mutism, coma vigil, alpha coma, neocortical death, and permanent unconsciousness. These terms, used variously by different authors, probably are best avoided because of their lack of precision.

Box 5.1

Criteria for Diagnosis of Persistent Vegetative State

Data from The Multi-Society Task Force on PVS, 1994. Medical aspects of the persistent vegetative state. N Engl J Med 330, 1499-1508, 1572-1579.

A condition that has been estimated to be 10 times more common than PVS is the minimally conscious state, in which severe disability accompanies minimal awareness. A set of diagnostic criteria for the minimally conscious state has been proposed (Box 5.2). Abulia is a severe apathy in which patients have blunting of feeling, drive, mentation, and behavior such that they neither speak nor move spontaneously.

Catatonia may result in a state of muteness with dramatically decreased motor activity. The maintenance of body posture, with preserved ability to sit or stand, distinguishes it from organic pathological stupor. It generally is a psychiatric manifestation but may be mimicked by frontal lobe dysfunction or drug effect.

Pseudocoma is the term for a condition in which the patient appears comatose (i.e., unresponsive, unarousable, or both) but has no structural, metabolic, or toxic disorder.

Approach to the Patient in Coma

The initial clinical approach to the patient in a state of stupor or coma is based on the principle that all alterations in arousal constitute acute life-threatening emergencies until vital functions such as blood pressure and oxygenation are stabilized, potentially reversible causes of coma are treated, and the underlying cause of the alteration in arousal is understood. Urgent steps may be necessary to avoid or minimize permanent brain damage from reversible causes. In view of the urgency of this situation, every physician should develop a diagnostic and therapeutic routine to use with a patient with an alteration in consciousness. A basic understanding of the mechanisms that lead to impairment in arousal is necessary to develop this routine. The anatomical and physiological bases for alterations in arousal are discussed in Chapter 68.

Although it is essential to keep in mind the concept of a spectrum of arousal, for the sake of simplicity and brevity only the term coma is used in the rest of this chapter. Table 5.2 lists many of the common causes of coma. More than half of all cases of coma are due to diffuse and metabolic brain dysfunction. In Plum and Posner’s landmark study (1980, see 2007 revision) of 500 patients initially diagnosed as having coma of unknown cause (in whom the diagnosis was ultimately established), 326 patients had diffuse and metabolic brain dysfunction. Almost half of these had drug poisonings. Of the remaining patients, 101 had supratentorial mass lesions, including 77 hemorrhagic lesions and 9 infarctions; 65 had subtentorial lesions, mainly brainstem infarctions; and 8 had psychiatric coma.

Table 5.2 Causes of Coma

I. SYMMETRICAL-NONSTRUCTURAL

Toxins

Drugs

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

II. SYMMETRICAL-STRUCTURAL

Supratentorial

Bilateral internal carotid occlusion

Bilateral anterior cerebral artery occlusion

III. ASYMMETRICAL-STRUCTURAL

Supratentorial

Metabolic

Aminoacidemia

Wernicke encephalopathy

Porphyria

Hepatic encephalopathy *

Uremia

Dialysis encephalopathy

Addisonian crisis

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Thalamic hemorrhage *

Trauma—contusion, concussion *

Hydrocephalus

Subdural Hemorrhage, Bilateral

Infections

Bacterial meningitis

Viral encephalitis

Postinfectious encephalomyelitis

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Psychiatric

Catatonia

Other

Postictal

Diffuse ischemia (myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia)

Hypotension

Fat embolism

Hypertensive encephalopathy

Hypothyroidism

Infratentorial

Basilar occlusion *

Midline brainstem tumor

Leukoencephalopathy associated with hemotherapy

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

Infratentorial

Brainstem infarction

Brainstem hemorrhage

* Relatively common asymmetrical presentation.

† Relatively symmetrical.

Data from Plum, F., Posner, J.B., 1980. The Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma, third ed. F.A. Davis, Philadelphia; and from Fisher, C.M., 1969. The neurological examination of the comatose patient. Acta Neurol Scand 45, 1-56.

A logical decision tree often used in searching for the cause of coma divides the categories of diseases that cause coma into three groups: structural lesions, which may be above or below the tentorium; metabolic and toxic causes; and psychiatric causes. The history and physical examination usually provide sufficient evidence to determine the presence or absence of a structural lesion and quickly differentiate the general categories to either decide what further diagnostic tests are needed or allow for immediate intervention if necessary.

Serial examinations are needed, with precise description of the behavioral state at different points in time to determine whether the patient is improving or—a more ominous finding—worsening, and to decide whether a change in therapy or further diagnostic testing is necessary. Subtle declines in the intermediate states of arousal may herald precipitous changes in brainstem function, which may affect regulation of vital functions such as respiration or blood pressure. The dynamic quality of alterations of consciousness and the need for accurate documentation at different points in time cannot be overemphasized.

Rapid Initial Examination and Emergency Therapy

A relatively quick initial assessment is conducted to ensure that the comatose patient is medically and neurologically stable before a more detailed investigation is undertaken. This rapid initial examination is essential to rule out the need for immediate medical or surgical intervention. In addition, various supportive or preventive measures may be indicated.

Urgent and sometimes empirical therapy is given to prevent further brain damage. Potential immediate metabolic needs of the brain are supplied by empirical use of supplemental oxygen, intravenous (IV) thiamine (at least 100 mg), and IV 50% dextrose in water (25 g). A baseline serum glucose level should be obtained before glucose administration.

The use of IV glucose in patients with ischemic or anoxic brain damage is controversial. Extra glucose may augment local lactic acid production by anaerobic glycolysis and may worsen ischemic or anoxic damage. Clinically, however, we currently recommend empirical glucose administration when the cause of coma is unknown. There are two reasons for this approach: (1) the frequent occurrence of alterations in arousal due to hypoglycemia and the relatively good prognosis for coma due to hypoglycemia when it is treated expeditiously; and (2) the potentially permanent consequences if it is not treated. By comparison, the prognosis for anoxic or ischemic coma generally is poor and probably will remain poor regardless of glucose supplementation.

Thiamine must always be given in conjunction with glucose to prevent precipitation of Wernicke encephalopathy. Naloxone hydrochloride may be given parenterally, preferably IV, in doses of 0.4 to 2 mg if opiate overdose is the suspected cause of coma. An abrupt and complete reversal of narcotic effect may precipitate an acute abstinence syndrome in persons who are physically dependent on opiates.

Initial examination should include a check of general appearance, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate and breath sounds, best response to stimulation, pupil size and responsiveness, and posturing or adventitious movements. The neck should be stabilized in all instances of trauma until cervical spine fracture or subluxation can be ruled out. The airway should be protected in all comatose patients and an IV line placed.

In coma, however, the classic sign of an acute condition in the abdomen—namely, abdominal rigidity—may be subtle or absent. In addition, the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma is difficult in patients with a change in mental status. Therefore, in unconscious patients with a history of trauma, peritoneal lavage by an experienced surgeon may be warranted.

Hypotension, marked hypertension, bradycardia, arrhythmias causing depression of blood pressure, marked hyperthermia, and signs of cerebral herniation mandate immediate therapeutic intervention.

Hyperthermia or meningismus prompts consideration of urgent lumbar puncture (LP). Examination of the fundus of the eye for papilledema and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain should be performed before LP in any comatose patient. Although the only absolute contraindication to LP is the presence of an infection over the site of puncture, medicolegal considerations make a CT scan mandatory before LP. To avoid a delay in therapy required to perform a CT scan, some authorities recommend initiating antibiotics immediately when acute bacterial meningitis is strongly suspected, though this may prevent subsequent identification of the responsible organism.

The risk of herniation from an LP in patients with evidence of increased intracerebral pressure is difficult to ascertain from the literature; estimates range from 1% to 12%, depending on the series (Posner et al., 2007). It is important to recognize that both central and tonsillar herniation may increase neck tone.

Despite an elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), sufficient cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) should always be obtained to perform the necessary studies; bacterial culture and cell count, essential in cases of suspected bacterial meningitis, requires but a few milliliters of fluid. Intravenous access and IV mannitol should be ready in the event unexpected herniation begins after the LP. When the CSF pressure is greater than 500 mm H₂O, some authorities recommend leaving the needle in place to monitor the pressure and administering IV mannitol to lower the pressure. If focal signs develop during or after the LP, immediate intubation and hyperventilation also may be necessary to reduce intracerebral pressure urgently until more definitive therapy is available.

Ecchymosis, petechiae, or evidence of ready bleeding on general examination may indicate coagulation abnormality or thrombocytopenia. This increases the risk of epidural hematoma after an LP, which may cause devastating spinal cord compression. Measurements of prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and platelet count should precede LP in these cases, and the coagulation abnormality or thrombocytopenia should be corrected before proceeding to LP.

Common Presentations

Coma usually manifests in one of three ways. Most commonly, it occurs as an expected or predictable progression of an underlying illness. Examples are focal brainstem infarction with extension; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a patient who is given too high a concentration of oxygen, thereby decreasing respiratory drive and resulting in carbon dioxide narcosis; and known barbiturate overdose when the ingested drug cannot be fully removed and begins to cause unresponsiveness. Second, coma occurs as an unpredictable event in a patient whose prior medical conditions are known to the physician. The coma may be a complication of an underlying medical illness, such as in a patient with arrhythmia who suffers anoxia after a cardiac arrest. Alternatively, an unrelated event may occur, such as sepsis from an IV line in a cardiac patient or stroke in a hypothyroid patient. Finally, coma can occur in a patient whose medical history is totally unknown to the physician. Sometimes this type of presentation is associated with a known probable cause such as head trauma incurred in a motor vehicle accident, but often the unknown comatose patient presents to the physician without an obvious associated cause. Although the patient without an obvious cause of coma may seem most challenging, thorough objective systematic assessment must be applied in every comatose patient. Special care must be taken not to be lulled or misled by an apparently predictable progression of an underlying illness or other obvious cause of coma.

History

Once the patient is relatively stable, clues to the cause of the coma should be sought by briefly interviewing relatives, friends, bystanders, or medical personnel who may have observed the patient before or during the decrease in consciousness. Telephone calls to family members may be helpful. The patient’s wallet or purse should be examined for lists of medications, a physician’s card, or other information.

Attempts should be made to ascertain the patient’s social background and prior medical history and the circumstances in which the patient was found. The presence of drug paraphernalia or empty medicine bottles suggests a drug overdose. Newer recreational drugs, such as γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), must be considered in the differential diagnosis. An oral hypoglycemic agent or insulin in the medicine cabinet or refrigerator implies possible hypoglycemia. Antiarrhythmic agents such as procainamide or quinidine suggest existing coronary artery disease with possible myocardial infarction (MI) or warn that an unwitnessed arrhythmia may have caused cerebral hypoperfusion, with resulting anoxic encephalopathy. Warfarin, typically prescribed for patients with deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, those at risk for cerebral embolism, and those with a history of brainstem or cerebral ischemia, may be responsible for massive intracerebral bleeding. In patients found to be unresponsive at the scene of an accident such as a car crash, the unresponsive state may be due to trauma incurred in the accident, or sudden loss of consciousness may have precipitated the accident.

The neurologist often is called when patients do not awaken after surgery or when coma supervenes following a surgical procedure. Postoperative causes of coma include many of those listed in Table 5.4. In addition, the physician also must have a high index of suspicion for certain neurological conditions that occur in this setting, including fat embolism, addisonian crisis, hypothyroid coma (precipitated by acute illness or surgical stress), Wernicke encephalopathy from carbohydrate loading without adequate thiamine stores, and iatrogenic overdose of a narcotic analgesic.

Attempts should be made to ascertain whether the patient complained of symptoms before onset of coma. Common signs and symptoms include headache preceding subarachnoid hemorrhage, chest pain with aortic dissection or MI, shortness of breath from hypoxia, stiff neck in meningoencephalitis, and vertigo in brainstem stroke. Nausea and vomiting are common in poisonings. Coma also may be secondary to increased ICP. Observers may have noted head trauma, drug abuse, seizures, or hemiparesis. Descriptions of falling to one side, dysarthria or aphasia, ptosis, pupillary dilatation, or dysconjugate gaze may help localize structural lesions. The time course of the disease as noted by family or friends may help differentiate the often relatively slow, progressive course of toxic-metabolic or infectious causes from abrupt catastrophic changes seen most commonly with vascular events.

Finally, family members or friends may be invaluable in identifying psychiatric causes of unresponsiveness. The family may describe a long history of psychiatric disease, previous similar episodes from which the patient recovered, current social stresses on the patient, or the patient’s unusual idiosyncratic response to stress. Special care must be taken with psychiatric patients because of the often biased approach to these patients, which may lead to incomplete evaluation. Psychiatric patients are subject to all the causes of coma listed in Table 5.4.