Approaches to Consciousness Assessment in Neurocritically Ill Patients
- Author:
Dong-Wan KANG
1
;
Tae Jung KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review Article
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2024;42(2):107-115
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:KO
- Abstract: The majority of neurocritically ill patients have disorders of consciousness. Both level and content of consciousness should be assessed repeatedly throughout the course of patient care. In this review, we describe the definition and diagnostic criteria for disorders of consciousness, and the neurological examination and standardized neurobehavioral assessment tools as methods of assessing consciousness. Next, we will discuss neurophysiological and neuroimaging tests as tools for assessing consciousness: automated quantitative pupillometry, electroencephalogram, evoked potentials, brain imaging, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and biomarkers. We discuss the clinical utility of each assessment tool and the importance of a multimodal approach in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication of disorders of consciousness.
