Article

Late recovery of consciousness after 12 months in vegetative state is very
rare and is almost invariably associated with severe disability. The aim of this
study was to report that late recovery with moderate disability is possible, even
after several months in vegetative state. This study describes the
case of a 22-year-old male student who recovered consciousness from vegetative
state 19 months after a traumatic brain injury which had occurred in December
2000. A further slow recovery of motor and cognitive functions up to a moderate
disability was observed over 7 years after the brain injury. The patient now
lives in the community, speaks, walks and undertakes daily living as well as
outdoor leisure activities independently, has resumed his previous university
studies and has a part-time non-competitive job. CONCLUSIONS: This case
demonstrates that attaining a condition of independent living is possible even
after more than 1 year of post-traumatic vegetative state, with an improvement of
motor and cognitive functions that can continue for years. Cranioplasty and
long-term rehabilitation programmes may be among the variables potentially
influencing this unexpected recovery.

Langue : ANGLAIS