The locked-in syndrome: a challenge for therapy

Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2005:93:213-5. doi: 10.1007/3-211-27577-0_39.

Abstract

The locked-in syndrome (LIS) is a severe condition originated by a ventral pons lesion causing quadriplegia and anarthria but with a preserved consciousness. LIS seems to be a well defined clinical picture, although different problems still persist, such as the diagnosis as it is usually mistaken for akinetic mutism and a vegetative state; the unclear prognosis, because of the patient's psychological state and the lack of information and data concerning the different types of available treatment and the need for results. Rehabilitation is a challenge for physicians, new methods and techniques of specialized treatments for these patients are opening a new future that will allow us to abandon the initial pessimism. A more efficient rehabilitation of these patients depends on the intensity of the rehabilitation, the multidisciplinary approach, and duration of the treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Prognosis
  • Quadriplegia / complications
  • Quadriplegia / diagnosis*
  • Quadriplegia / rehabilitation*
  • Severity of Illness Index