Neurologia medico-chirurgica
Online ISSN : 1349-8029
Print ISSN : 0470-8105
ISSN-L : 0470-8105
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in the Persistent Vegetative State
Masaharu SATORyotaro KURODAMasahiko IOKUAkio KIMShigeru TANAKAKazuo NAKAKITAAkitsugu KOHAMAChiho FUJIIShimato ONOMasao FUKUNAGARikushi MORITA
Author information
JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1989 Volume 29 Issue 5 Pages 389-394

Details
Abstract

Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in eight patients in a persistent vegetative state was measured and compared with that in five healthy volunteers. The patients were classified into three groups: Group 1 (locked-in syndrome) consisted of a single patient, Group 2 (typical vegetative state) of five patients, and Group 3 (prolonged coma) of two patients. CBF was measured early after onset by single photon emission computed tomography with 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodo-amphetamine and/or 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime. The regions of interest (ROIs) were the bilateral frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, and cerebellar areas and basal ganglia. The values obtained in these areas were averaged, and the ratio for each ROI [(the value in the ROI/the mean value) × 100] was calculated. “Hyperfrontal distribution” of CBF was found to be rare in both the normal condition and the vegetative state. Higher CBF values were noted in the left than in the right frontal area in four of the five volunteers but in only four of the eight patients. CBF distribution in the frontal lobe was characteristic for each group: Group 1 showed high CBF bilaterally, although the elevation was statistically significant only on the right side, and Group 3 exhibited significantly low values. In Group 2, CBF was variable but, for the most part, within normal limits. Awareness was closely correlated with frontal lobe function and alteration of CBF in the frontal region.

Content from these authors
© The Japan Neurosurgical Society
Previous article Next article
feedback
Top