Coma

:For other meanings of the word "coma", especially in astronomy, see coma (disambiguation)

Coma causes

A coma can be caused by a focal lesion (supratentorial or infratentorial) or by a diffuse pathology.

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Diffuse pathologies are the most common cause of coma, being responsibile for about 60% of the cases. They may or may not involve the whole metabolism, but affect a large part of the brain, while a focal injury affects only a small part. Common causes of coma that can be classified as diffuse patologies are: head trauma associated with an increased intracranial pressure; various toxins including poisons and alcohol. Other drugs that can lead to coma include barbiturates, opiate narcotics, sedatives, amphetamines, cocaine and aspirin; metabolic abnormalities that lead to either elevated or reduced glucose levels in the blood; liver or kidney failure; hypoxia (poor oxygenation) or an imbalance of electrolytes; central nervous system infections, such as meningitis and encephalitis; a subaracnoidal emorragy or seizure disorders.

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Focal supratentorial injuries account for 30% of the cases, and can be of vascular nature or caused by expansive lesions, like neoplasia or hydrocephalus. Focal infratentorial lesions account for the remaining 10% of comas, and can be of vascular nature, expansive or demyelinising lesions.

Related Topics:
Vascular - Neoplasia - Hydrocephalus

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