Question
Someone in my family has just been in a head on collision and are now in a coma. I want to know more about it. The have a linear skull fracture and alot of swelling of the brain. What is goin gon in the brain? They say there is no really serious problems and we just have to wait to see if they will come out of it. They have a 7 in the Gaskow coma scale. When they come out, will they be able to talk or remember?

Answer
I am very sorry to hear of your family members predicament. I would need more information to answer this more directly but I am assuming there was an mri and this proved that there is no distinct focal areas of brain damage. that is a good thing for sure.

Now the brain swelling is a different story because the swelling is affecting the brain on a more global effect.(think the entire surface of the brain or the complete brain) I wish I could make a prediction as you requested but the function of speech comes from a specific area of the brain as does memory. I don't any medical professional can answer the question in specifics.Even the most knowledgeable neurologist would have to wait and see. The best thing going for your family member is that specific areas of the brain such as Brokas speech area have not been damaged.

iF i CAN BE OF FURTHER HELP PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH DEVELOPMENTS AS THEY OCCUR AND i CAN HELP AS YOUR FAMILY MEMBER PRESENTS WITH CHANGES IN HIS/HER CONDITION.

Sincerely,
Dr John Q Quackenbush
Phoenix Chiropractor