Coma, Post-Head Injury

**Definition:** Prolonged unconsciousness from which the individual cannot be aroused, associated with traumatic injuries to the BRAIN. This may be defined as unconsciousness persisting for 6 hours or longer. Coma results from injury to both cerebral hemispheres or the RETICULAR FORMATION of the BRAIN STEM. Contributing mechanisms include DIFFUSE AXONAL INJURY and BRAIN EDEMA. (From J Neurotrauma 1997 Oct;14(10):699-713)

**Tree numbers:** - C10.597.606.358.800.200.200 - C10.900.300.175 - C26.915.300.350

**Synonyms:** - Coma, Traumatic - Post-Head Injury Coma - Coma, Post-Trauma - Coma, Post-Traumatic