Aetiology
Permanent vegetative state (PVS) is a severe neurological disorder caused by an injury to the brain. The injury can be from a traumatic brain injury, hypoxia, stroke, drug overdose, or other neurological disorder.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on a neurological assessment in which the patient is observed for certain signs and symptoms that indicate a lack of awareness or responsiveness, including loss of speech, lack of voluntary movement, and lack of reaction to external stimuli.
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis includes other neurological disorders such as coma, brain death, and minimally conscious state.
Treatment
Treatment of PVS is usually supportive and may include physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy to maintain the patient’s health and comfort. There is no known cure for PVS.
Prognosis
The prognosis for PVS is poor and most patients remain in PVS for the rest of their lives. Some patients may show improvement over time, but this is rare.