Causes of Altered Level of Consciousness GCS < 7 - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm



Brain Involvement - Hemispheric

 • Hemorrhage

 • Traumatic

 • Ischemia/Infarction

 • Neoplastic Abscess

 • Skull fracture

 • Subdural hematoma

 • Intracranial Bleeding

Brain Involvement - Brain Stem

 • Hemorrhage

 • Traumatic

 • Ischemia / Infarction

 • Neoplastic Abscess

 • Herniation

 • Brain stem Lesion 

Brain Involvement - Vascular

 • Hypertensive encephalopathy

 • Vasculitis

 • TTP

 • DIC

 • Hypoxemia

 • Multiple emboli 

Brain Involvement - Infection

 • Meningitis

 • Encephalitis

Brain Involvement - Other

 • Trauma / Concussion

 • Post-ictal

Systemic - Excesses

 • Liver/Renal Failure

 • Carbon Dioxide Narcosis

 • Metabolic Acidosis

 • Hypernatremia

 • Hypercalcemia

 • Hypermagnesemia

 • Hyperthermia

 • Thyroid Storm

Systemic - Deficiencies

 • Hypoxemia

 • Hypoglycemia

 • B12/Thiamine deficiency

 • Hyponatremia

 • Hypocalcemia

 • Hypomagnesemia

 • Hypothermia

 • Myxedema Coma

Systemic - Drugs/Toxins

 • Alcohols

 • Barbituates

 • Tranquilizers

 • Other



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