Decerebrate posture

Home care:

Conditions associated with decerebrate posture require immediate hospital treatment.

Call your health care provider if:

Abnormal posturing (of any sort) usually accompanies reduced consciousness. Anyone exhibiting an abnormal posture should be examined promptly by the health care provider.

Note: In some conditions such as prolonged coma, these behaviors can persist for an extended period of time.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Emergency measures may be begun immediately, including placement of an artificial airway (breathing tube) and assistance with breathing. The person will likely be hospitalized and in intensive care. Once the person is stabilized, the medical history will be obtained from family members and a physical examination will be performed.

Medical history questions documenting decerebrate posture in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • When did this behavior start?
  • Is there a pattern to the occurrences?

• quality
  • Is it always the same type of posture?

• other
  • Is there any significant medical history (such as a known head injury)?
  • What other symptoms preceded or accompanied the abnormal posturing?

The physical examination will include a complete neurological assessment.

Diagnostic testing may include:

• head X-ray
• head CT scan
• cerebral angiography
• EEG
• brain scan
• ICP monitoring

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to decerebrate posturing to your personal medical record.