Question: Hello doctor,
Unfortunately, my mother in law, 85, had an episode four days ago, after which she gradually, but partially lost consciousness. By the time she went to hospital, she could only communicate minimally with doctors and family, and lost control of her bodily functions.
Scans of her brain did not indicate ischemic stroke signs, but the possibility that a stroke might have still occurred deep in the brain stem, although not visible on scans, was not excluded.
She is being kept under surveillance at ICU for the last two days, and has been put on blood thinning and other medications for the last two days, and her vital indicators are stable/normal.
What could be her chances of regaining consciousness and recovery?

Maybe it would also help to mention that several times in the last two years, she has had similar short episodes, where she regained consciousness at home after only a few minutes. Doctors have not been able to tell for sure whether these were actually caused by a stroke or a seizure.

In case the cause for the loss of consciousness this time was not a stroke, could that have been one or more epileptic seizure/s from which she could have not recovered easily, because of her weakened general condition (was having a flu as well)?

In the case of a seizure, would the same medicine/procedures work towards her awakening/regaining consciousness, or will it still be necessary to administer something suitable for seizures (diazepam, lorazepam etc)?

Many thanks!

Many thanks doctor!

Two scans of the brain were performed (not an MRI as far as I know, and not sure if EEG or something different), and those showed no signs of new stroke (only some signs of old but very minor ones). Stroke was considered however, as a more probable diagnosis, assuming that any clot/damage could be located deep in the brain stem, and considering her partially unconscious condition.

Blood tests were performed, sugar, electrolytes and bacterial/viral, but no problem was found. Also no problem with the heart. As regards kidney, some problem/dysfunction was found, believed to have been caused two days ago, when they injected her with a XXXXXXX for lung screening/scanning.

Seizures were excluded as a diagnosis by the doctors, as they believed those did not sufficiently justify her condition (It appears to me however, that several seizures probably could). Therefore, no seizure medication has been administered so far. Can that still be done?
Currently, she can minimally communicate, move eyes, recognize voices, feel pain, but appears to be in a sleeping state most of the time and is currently under treatment in ICU.

I have also heard of several drugs (Zolpidem/Ambien, Amantadine, Lorazepam), that could help a patient in a partially unconscious state, awake, even after a stroke. Could such drugs be given to the patient in this case?

I have also sent a file of the brain scan of my mother in law made a few days ago at the hospital, which I hope can help.

Looking forward to receiving an answer from you soon.

Many thanks and best regards,
Ana

Thank you again doctor!
This was the maximum of messages I could upload here in the website. However, I could send you the images/film files via email message. Could you please give me your email address?
Best regards,
Ana

Two emails with attachments have just been sent to the email indicated.
The film is too large to be sent as an email attachment.
Hope you find these adequate.
Thank you.

Thank you doctor! How old could these lesions be? In which area of the brain are they located and what body functions were they likely to have impaired?

Thank you!
What in your view could have more probably caused the unconsciousness?
Best regards,
Ana