Prognosis using computerized tomography in acute coma

A total of 98 patients, who had been in a comatose state of different aetiology (with the exception of endogenic and exogenic intoxications) for more than twelve hours, were reclassified into two prognostic groups by means of the linear discrimination analysis. The separation procedure was based on 20 neurologic and general-clinical characteristics according to a scale of up to 10 steps. The degree of separation reached varies between 86 and 100 per cent (mean success rate 91-100 per cent). The probability of the individual patients being grouped into the correct class of prognosis increased by repetitions of the calculations within short time intervals. Clinical symptoms are sufficient for the establishment of the prognosis. Possibilities of an increase of the reliability of the separating procedure are discussed.