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Coma mimicking brain death following baclofen overdose

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Abstract

Baclofen toxicity can be a cause of profound coma with brainstem dysfunction mimicking brain death, and is mainly a clinical diagnosis. Measuring plasma levels is not always possible and may be misleading. Imaging results are usually normal. Electroencephalography may show a pattern of burst suppression. At present no effective specific therapy is available. However, as demonstrated in our case, the prognosis can be good even in severe cases, provided it is recognized early enough, and appropriate supportive measures are instituted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Critical Care, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Campus, London, Ontario, Canada, , , , , , CA

    M. E. Ostermann & William J. Sibbald

  2. Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Campus, London, Ontario, Canada, , , , , , CA

    Bryan Young

  3. Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, University Campus, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N6A 5A5, Canada e-mail: michael.nicolle@lhsc.on.ca Tel.: + 1-5 19-6 63 32 36 Fax: + 1-5 19-6 63 33 28, , , , , , CA

    M. W. Nicolle

Authors
  1. M. E. Ostermann
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  2. Bryan Young
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  3. William J. Sibbald
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  4. M. W. Nicolle
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Received: 11 August 1999 Final revision received: 7 February 2000 Accepted: 7 April 2000

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Ostermann, M., Young, B., Sibbald, W. et al. Coma mimicking brain death following baclofen overdose. Intensive Care Med 26, 1144–1146 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001340051330

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001340051330

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