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Imaging the Unconscious "Found Down" Patient in the Emergency Department

Carlos Torres1, Nader Zakhari2, Sean Symons3

  • 1Department of Radiology, University of Ottawa, 1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada; Department of Medical Imaging, The Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, 1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada.

Neuroimaging Clinics of North America
|July 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Unconsciousness can stem from brain damage or reversible issues. Imaging like CT and MRI are crucial for diagnosing causes, from stroke to toxic encephalopathy, guiding effective treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Radiology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Unconsciousness presents diagnostic challenges, with causes ranging from severe brain injury to reversible conditions.
  • Neuroimaging is essential for identifying the underlying etiology of altered mental status.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review common and uncommon causes of unconsciousness.
  • To highlight the role of neuroimaging in diagnosing unconsciousness.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of conditions causing unconsciousness.
  • Discussion of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings.

Main Results:

  • Noncontrast head CT detects acute ischemic/hemorrhagic lesions and toxic encephalopathy patterns.
  • MR imaging is vital for cases with normal CT, revealing subtle abnormalities.
  • Common causes include epilepsy, vascular, traumatic, metabolic, and toxic disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Neuroimaging, including CT and MRI, is critical for evaluating unconscious patients.
  • Prompt diagnosis of reversible causes of unconsciousness can improve patient outcomes.
Keywords:
ComaDiffuse axonal injuryEmergency departmentEncephalitisFound downMetabolic encephalopathyToxic encephalopathyUnconscious

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