In The News: Misdiagnosed Coma

Tue., Nov. 24, 2009

Belgium's Rom Houben uses his touchscreen to communicate during an interview at the service center 't Weyerke in Zolder, Belgium, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009. Houben was misdiagnosed for 23 years as being in a coma until a doctor at Liege University discovered three years ago that Houben's brain was still functioning. Houben was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state following a car crash in 1983. The discovery took place three years ago but only recently came to light, after publication of a study on the misdiagnosis of people with consciousness disorders. (Yves Logghe / Associated Press)

By D.F. Oliveria daveo@spokesman.com (509) 319-0354

Belgium’s Rom Houben uses his touchscreen to communicate during an interview at the service center ‘t Weyerke in Zolder, Belgium, Tuesday. Houben was misdiagnosed for 23 years as being in a coma until a doctor at Liege University discovered three years ago that Houben’s brain was still functioning. Houben was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state following a car crash in 1983. The discovery took place three years ago but only recently came to light, after publication of a study on the misdiagnosis of people with consciousness disorders.(AP Photo/Yves Logghe)

Question: Should this case change the way we view comatose patients?

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Huckleberries Online." Read all stories from this blog