CLINICAL ACCOMPANIMENTS OF THE BURST-SUPPRESSION EEG PATTERN

A burst-suppression pattern on the EEG following anoxic insult is usua lly associated with a poor prognosis. Myoclonic jerks may accompany th e electrographic burst. On rare occasions oral, ocular, or appendicula r movements can be associated with bursts of EEG activity recorded fol lowing cerebral anoxic insult. At times these movements may cause conf usion about the patient's state of consciousness or the purposefulness of the movements; they may mimic volitional movements in response to external stimuli. To better describe the variety of movements that may accompany bursts of EEG activity in comatose patients, we review 12 c ases where movements occurred in association with the electrographic b ursts.