Persistent Vegetative State

PVS is a disorder of consciousness characterized by wakefulness without awareness following severe brain injury. Etiology includes hypoxic-ischemic injury, trauma, or encephalopathy. Pathophysiology involves widespread cortical and thalamic dysfunction with preserved brainstem activity. Diagnosis is clinical, confirmed with repeated neurological examinations and neuroimaging. Management is supportive, including prevention of complications and rehabilitative care; prognosis depends on etiology and duration of vegetative state.