Lack of motivation: Akinetic mutism after subarachnoid haemorrhage

doi:N/A

eISSN: None / ISSN: None

Netharland Journal of Critical Care

2016, Volume 24, Issue 3 : 29-32

Article

Lack of motivation: Akinetic mutism after subarachnoid haemorrhage

Herklots M.W.

Oldenbeuving A.

Beute G.N.

Roks G.

Schoonman G.G.

Abstract

Akinetic mutism is a rare neurological condition characterised by the lack of verbal and motor output in the presence of preserved alertness. It has been described in a number of neurological conditions including trauma, malignancy and cerebral ischaemia. We present three patients with ruptured aneurysms of the anterior circulation and akinetic mutism. After treatment of the aneurysm, the patients lay immobile, mute and were unresponsive to commands or questions. However, these patients were awake and their eyes followed the movements of persons around their bed. MRI showed bilateral ischaemia of the medial frontal lobes. Our case series highlights the risk of akinetic mutism in patients with ruptured aneurysms of the anterior circulation. It is important to recognise akinetic mutism in a patient and not to mistake it for a minimal consciousness state. © 2016, Netherlands Society of Intensive Care. All right reserved.

Keywords

Abulia

Akinetic mutism

Cingulate cortex

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

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