Persistent vegetative state. Extension of the syndrome to include chronic disorders
T. M. Walshe and C. Leonard
Twenty-nine institutionalized patients had the vegetative state as a
sequela of chronic progressive neurologic disorders. During three years,
the state was persistent; none improved, ten died. Eight similar patients
were reviewed retrospectively post mortem. Eight patients with severe
dementia, while acutely ill or sedated, temporarily met the criteria for
persistent vegetative state (PVS) but improved when the underlying
condition was treated. Abnormalities on electroencephalography or computed
tomographic scan are not specific for the PVS. Electroencephalograms were
normal in three patients with PVS. The computed tomographic scans showed
extensive destruction of the brain parenchyma but were not different from
those of severely demented patients without the PVS. The PVS is a feature
of the terminal phase of several progressive neurologic disorders. Patients
should be treated without excessive intervention.
