A person suffering a traumatic brain injury is likely to be in
a vegetative state. This type of situation is tragic and takes a heavy and
horrible toll on the families. Diagnostic
imaging is taking center stage in terms of what it can do for traumatic and
severe brain injuries. With a severe brain injury there is little if any
response as far as the body is concerned. As time goes on the chances of
recovery go from microscopic to nonexistent.
The functional MRI has allowed
researchers to see certain activity in non responsive patients. It was stated
that “One patient who had maintained a
clinical diagnosis of vegetative state over a 12-year period prior to scanning,
and also subsequent to it, was able to use attention to correctly communicate
answers to several binary (yes/no) questions. In this way, the patient
demonstrated that he was aware of his identity and whereabouts." This is a
fascinating development that shows a possibility for really helping patients
with severe brain injury.
While this kind of development doesn't mean that there is a way to fix severe brain injuries. There is a lot
of hope and that’s a very good thing. It was mentioned in the article on medscape.com about this development that
“fMRI may be used to communicate with patients who have a total locked-in
syndrome "may lead to a paradigmatic shift such that with the further
development of prostheses, these unfortunate patients, as well as patients with
other forms of locked-in syndromes, will be able to open the door to end their
isolation."
Isolation is horrid and can
destroy the patient, and it can also destroy the patient’s family. The fact
that diagnostic imaging can be such a big part of a future recovery process is
something amazing. The big implication here is that the research and future
technologies are going to play a major role in furthering this type of study.
If you have any questions about
diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our attentive
staff here at Clermont Radiology looks forward to answering all your questions
and aiding you in all your diagnostic imaging needs.
Charla
Hurst
References: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/809666
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