Should catatonia be part of the differential diagnosis of coma?

Nord J Psychiatry. 2005;59(6):528-30. doi: 10.1080/08039480500360765.

Abstract

The descriptions of catatonia are complex and unclear. More than 40 different signs and symptoms have been included, but coma is not among them. Recently, a case report of coma in relation to catatonia was presented. We report two further cases where coma was a part of this syndrome of disturbed motility. They were successfully treated with ECT. Consequently, we suggest that catatonia may be a differential diagnosis of coma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Catatonia / diagnosis*
  • Catatonia / physiopathology
  • Coma / diagnosis*
  • Coma / physiopathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electroencephalography
  • Glasgow Coma Scale
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged