The following are the characteristic signs and symptoms of LiS:

• Inability to control movements of the lower face
• Inability to chew, swallow and speak
• Difficulty in breathing
• Lower limbs become immobile 
• Lateral movement of eye is not possible [7]
• Individuals can only blink eyes a number of times and vertically move their eyes.
• Hearing ability is intact and patients respond by blinking their eyes.

• Diastolic Murmur

  On physical examination, she had a 40-point difference in blood pressure between her left and right arms, and a loud diastolic murmur. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Ear Discharge

  Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were cultured from the purulent ear discharge. The final diagnosis was locked-in syndrome consecutive to inflammatory changes compressing the basilar artery. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Quadriplegia

  A 21-year-old man presented with an extremely rare case of locked-in syndrome caused by a metastatic brainstem tumor manifesting as quadriplegia, lower cranial nerve pareses, and irregular respiration. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Unresponsive to Pain Stimuli

  […] to painful stimuli (inability to withdraw an extremity from painful stimuli) No horizontal eye movements Cannot consciously chew food, swallow, breathe, speak, or move voluntary muscles Must rely on caregivers for most basic functions (body movements [medicinenet.com]

• Upbeat Nystagmus

  To our knowledge, the change from ocular bobbing to upbeat nystagmus has not been previously reported in the Locked-in syndrome. Bilateral involvement of the lateral lemniscus might have contributed to its appearance in our patient. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Spastic Gait

  About a year after the onset of illness, patient, not discouraged by residual neurologic deficits (namely, spastic gait and speech disorder), resumed duty at his workplace. [panafrican-med-journal.com]

• Oscillopsia

  This impairment is multifactorial including mostly binocular diplopia or oscillopsia but also refractive errors, dry eye syndrome, keratitis or visual field defect. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

The diagnosis of LiS often becomes difficult as the signs and symptoms of the syndrome often mimic other diseases as well. In many cases, it takes as long as 2.5 years to appropriately diagnose the disease. Various neuroimaging tests should be carried out to rule out other disease conditions [8]. In addition, imaging studies such as CT scan and MRI should be done to detect the location of the brain lesion.

Angiographic studies of the basilar veins using contrast enhanced imaging may effectively localize the lesions [9]. In addition, confirmatory tests such as PET or functional MRI need to be carried out examine the cerebral functioning. EEG is also done that shows sleep wake patterns which is a characteristic feature for patients with LiS.

• Streptococcus Pneumoniae

  Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were cultured from the purulent ear discharge. The final diagnosis was locked-in syndrome consecutive to inflammatory changes compressing the basilar artery. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Locked-in syndrome cannot be cured and there is no standard treatment regime to treat the condition. Depending on the cause of the syndrome and nature of severity of the symptoms, treatment is tailor made for each individual.

The primary goal is to treat the underlying cause and employ methods to restore cognitive and motor functioning [10]. Electrodes are used for stimulation of the muscle reflexes. In addition, Dasher technology is used for helping the individuals communicate. Recent advancements in the treatment methods have introduced mechanisms such as direct brain interface that helps patients answer yes–no questions. Treatment methods should also be channelized to prevent the onset of various systemic complications.

With appropriate initiation of treatment, the neurological functions such as horizontal eye movements begin to restore within the first four weeks. Younger individuals have a better prognosis than the adults. It has also been seen that, about 85% of affected individuals have a better survival rate with effective treatment and rehabilitation program. However, affected individuals often suffer from muscle stiffness and tightness also known as spasticity for the rest of their life.

Complications

The following are the several complications associated with Locked-in Syndrome:

• Severe oropharyngeal dysphagia
• Saliva aspiration
• Loss of control over cough
• Risk of developing infections
• Pulmonary atelectasis

Development of acute brainstem lesions is the most potential cause of Locked-in Syndrome. The lesions develop as a result of arterial thrombosis accompanied by obstruction of the affected artery. The other causes of LiS include the following:

• Brain hemorrhage
• Head injury affecting the brain
• Diseases such as multiple sclerosis
• Central pontine myelinolysis [2] 
• Overdose of certain medications leading to toxicity (eg. magnesium) [3]
• Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Disorders of the circulatory system
• Thrombosis of the basilar artery [4]
• Psychological disorders [5]
• Cerebellar infarct [6]

In addition to the above mentioned causes, there have been certain pieces of evidence suggesting an association between cervical manipulation and artery dissection. However, such a kind of relation is not sufficiently backed up with research studies.

The exact incidence of Locked-in Syndrome is not recorded. However, with the available literature, it can be estimated that the onset of acute infections in patients with LiS was the cause of death in about 40% of the cases. The development of stroke was the primary cause of death in 25% of individuals with LiS.

Locked-in Syndrome is basically divided into 3 categories:

• Total LiS characterized by complete paralysis of the limbs, facial muscles including the eyes.
• Incomplete LiS wherein there are some limb movements with eye blinks and movements.
• Classical LiS wherein only eye movements are present.

LiS occurs due to damage to the lower portion of the brain along with the brainstem. The development of brainstem lesion is known to be the major cause of this syndrome. These lesions gravely affect the corticospinal tracts and cranial nerves IV and VI. When the facial nerves and lower cranial nerves are affected it specifically leads to paralysis of the facial muscles causing impaired speech with disruption of swallowing function.

So far no guidelines have been designed to prevent the onset of LiS. However, if the disease is diagnosed in its early stages and treatment initiated then complications can be prevented and significant restoration of cognitive and motor functions can be achieved.

Locked-in Syndrome, abbreviated as LiS, is a disease characterized by a state wherein the affected individual is awake and fully aware of the surroundings but is unable to react or communicate due to paralysis of the limbs and facial muscles [1]. Such a syndrome is also known as pseudocoma and was first described in the year 1966 by Fred Plum and Jerome Posner.

In this condition limbs and facial muscles are paralyzed except the eyes. However, in total Locked-in Syndrome, the individuals are unable to move the eyes as well. Functions of breathing, phonation and swallowing may all be interrupted due to LiS.

Definition

Locked-in Syndrome (LiS) is a state of wakefulness wherein the patient is awake and aware of the surroundings but is unable to communicate due to paralysis of the limbs and facial muscles.

Cause

The development of brain lesions either due to stroke, brain hemorrhage or other disease conditions gives rise to LiS. In some cases, drug overdose can also lead to LiS.

Symptoms

LiS precipitates as paralysis of the lower limbs and the facial muscles that greatly impairs the cognitive as well as motor functioning. Patients with LiS are unable to use their lower facial muscles which in turn cause inability to swallow, eat, talk and breathe. Eyes of the affected individuals are wide opened and can communicate only through vertical eye movements. 

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by carefully studying the clinical features followed by determination of the location of the brain lesion through imaging studies. Neuroimaging studies are also carried out to rule out the possibility of other disease conditions. EEG tests shows sleep wake pattern that confirms LiS.

Treatment

Treatment of LiS is done by employing methods to treat the underlying disease conditions. Various methods such as Dasher technology and use of electrodes can be employed for restoring the cognitive and motor functioning. Patients are also given speech therapy to help regain their speaking ability.

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