Kumbha Thulasi Ram1, I. V. Ramachandra Rao2, Gangireddi Suresh Babu3, H. V. V. S. S.Lakshman K4
INTRODUCTION: Coma is a common medical problem. The importance of this class of neurological disorders points to the necessity of a systematic approach to their diagnosis and management. In present study we evaluate 150 cases of coma, their management and clinical outcome
AIM AND OBJECTIVES: A majority of admissions in intensive care unit are presenting with impairment of consciousness. It is felt that a more detailed study of these cases is needed for better management so an effort is made to study 150 consecutive cases admitted with coma of medical aetiology to determine the aetiological profile, clinical localization of lesions and to predict the prognosis. Simultaneously it has been tried to standardize the initial protocols in the management of patients admitted with coma.
CONCLUSION: In the present study the most common cause of coma is metabolic and infective 42%, among these, infective are common 21% and metabolic are next common 20%. In suprtentorial causes ischaemic strokes are more common 53% than haemorrhagic strokes. Among infective causes tuberculous meningitis, cerebral malaria are common causes. Cortical venous thrombosis is common in females. In drug poisoning organo phosphorus poisoning is common.
