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We would like to present an observation that somewhat questions the predictive value of somatosensory evoked potentials on the outcome of brain trauma patients treated with thiopental coma.1,2
A 30 year old woman suffered a high velocity car accident resulting in a diffuse brain injury. Her Glasgow coma scale score on admission was E2V2M5 (9/15), with preserved pupillary reflexes and gross motor function. Computed tomography of the head showed a traumatic disjunction of the lambdoid suture and multiple left frontobasal and temporal cerebral contusions. The patient was sedated with propofol, intubated, and monitored for intracerebral pressure (ICP) through an external ventricular drain. Her clinical condition rapidly worsened because of brain swelling around the contusions, and cerebrospinal fluid drainage, manitol boluses, and mild hyperventilation were …