RESUMO
Computerized tomography and electroencephalography are emerging as the two main practical neurodiagnostic tests in the study of brain disease. The comparative advantage of each test is discussed from the point of view of possible outcomes and the results of the tests. A logistic scheme suggests how to use these tests to arrive, cost effectively, at the most accurate diagnosis.
Assuntos
Encefalopatias/diagnóstico , Eletroencefalografia , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Lesões Encefálicas/diagnóstico , Hemorragia Cerebral/diagnóstico , Infarto Cerebral/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Dominância Cerebral , Epilepsia/diagnóstico , Potenciais Evocados , Humanos , Hidrocefalia/diagnósticoRESUMO
Prognosis in comatose patients is essential for medical, ethical, legal and financial reasons. Ambiguous definitions of clinical states and EEG terminology have hampered attempts to use EEG fruitfully for this purpose. Definitions of these terms are offered with a review of their utility in predicting outcome of unconscious patients. An effort is made to expand the scope of prognosis now available which is based mainly on clinical evaluation of brain stem reflexes and demonstration of an isoelectric EEG.
