Multimodality evoked potentials and electroencephalography in severe coma cases. Clinical experiences in a neurosurgical intensive care unit.

In a neurosurgical intensive care unit 26 patients with unconsciousness and unresponsiveness were investigated by means of multimodality evoked potentials and electroencephalography in order to obtain information on the functional state of the nervous system. Multimodality evoked potential techniques allowed us to differentiate patients with EEG alterations due to drug treatment from those without therapy. The functional state and prognosis can be better evaluated by means of evoked potential techniques. Patients with raised intracranial pressure seem to undergo some characteristic alterations in FEP and far field potential derivations.