Main description:

Written by a practicing critical care neurologist, this books includes a historical overview of the concepts of consciousness and unconsciousness, principles of neurologic examination of the comatose patient including instruction of a new coma scale - the 'FOUR Score', interpretation of neuroimaging and its role in daily practice and decision making, management in the emergency room and ICU and long-term supportive care and approach to communication with family
members and end-of-life decisions. It also discusses landmark legal cases and ethical problems and a chapter is devoted to the public perception of coma.

Contents:

PART I. UNDERSTANDING, DIAGNOSING, AND CARE OF COMATOSE PATIENTS ; 1. A History of Coma: Evolution of Ideas ; 2. The Neuroscience of the Awake State ; 3. Neurologic Examination of the Comatose Patient and Localization Principles ; 4. The Clinical Diagnosis of Prolonged Impaired Consciousness ; 5. The Clinical Diagnosis of Brain Death ; 6. Neuroimaging and Neuropathology ; 7. Clinical Decisions, Medical Management, and Supportive Care ; 8. Law and Bioethics ; 9. Media and Popular Culture ; PART II. THE CLINICAL APPROACH TO THE COMATOSE PATIENT ; 10. The Clinical Approach to the Comatose Patient ; ENCLOSURES ; DVD: The Comatose Patient ; Booklet: Four Score Guide ; DVD: THE COMATOSE PATIENT ; 1. Instruction of the FOUR Score Coma Scale ; 2. Selected Neurologic Findings in Comatose Patients ; 3. Seizures and Pseudo Seizures ; 4. States of Impaired Consciousness ; 5. Clinical Diagnosis of Brain Death (Animated)