86. Diagnostic value of standard EEG in prolonged Disorders of Consciousness. Issue 4 (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Estraneo, A.; Loreto, V.; Moretta, P.; Guarino, I.; Boemia, V.; Paone, G.; Pascarella, A.; Trojano, L.
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 127:Issue 4(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: e152
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.09.094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Abstract : Assessment of responsiveness is critical for definition of treatment and prognosis of Disorders of Consciousness (DOC), but is very challenging. In the present cross-sectional study we analyzed the background predominant EEG activity (in terms of frequency and voltage) and reactivity to eye closing and to tactile, acoustic, noxiceptive stimuli and Intermittent Photic Stimulation (IPS) in 63 prolonged traumatic, vascular and anoxic DOC patients (30 F; mean age 55.4 yrs.), with a clinical diagnosis of vegetative state (VS, n = 33) or minimally conscious state (MCS, n = 30). The distribution of specific patterns of background EEG activity was significantly different between the two diagnosis ( p = .001) and across the three etiologies ( p = .003). Reactivity to several stimuli was significantly more frequent in MCS than in VS: such difference was significant for IPS ( p = .004), whereas it only approached the significance level for eye closing ( p = .06) and acoustic stimuli ( p = .06). Presence of at least one reactivity, including or excluding IPS reactivity, was significantly more frequent in MCS than in VS ( p < .006), and had good sensibility but low specificity for diagnosis of MCS. Presence of at least 3 kinds of reactivity had the highest specificity (.83). Qualitative analysis of standard EEG can provide additional elements for diagnosis of DOC.