Neuroimaging and neurophysiological diagnosis and prognosis in paediatric disorders of consciousness.

Neuroimaging techniques Diffusion tensor imaging Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique employed to estimate the axonal organization of the brain. The underdocumentation of imaging studies in children may be explained by the fact that MRI and other neuroimaging tools often require sedation in younger patients and in patients with DOC in general. Abbreviations CRS-R Coma Recovery Scale-Revised DOC disorders of consciousness DTI diffusion tensor imaging ERP event-related potential MCS minimally conscious state SEP somatosensory evoked potential SWA slow-wave activity UWS unresponsive wakefulness syndrome What this paper adds Neuroimaging and neurophysiological tools that complement clinical assessment of disorders of consciousness in children are scarce. Among these 167 children, 151 were patients meeting the criteria for DOC: 70 were in a comatose state, 51 with UWS, 29 in MCS, and one patient did not receive any clear diagnosis. [Extracted from the article]