Computed tomographic findings in akinetic mutism

R. S. Young, K. W. Phelan, R. A. Lehman, J. W. Depenbusch, J. Towfighi and W. A. Weidner

Brain-injured children who progress from coma to a sleeplike state of akinetic mutism are often misinterpreted by their parents as having improved. In children with akinetic mutism caused by extensive destruction of the cerebral gray matter, the computed tomographic scan may demonstrate the irreversible nature of the pathologic changes.