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Conditions related to decerebrate posture need to be treated right away in a hospital.
Abnormal posturing of any kind usually occurs with a reduced level of alertness. Anyone who has an abnormal posture should be examined right away by a health care provider.
The person may need emergency treatment right away. This includes breathing assistance and placement of a breathing tube. The person will likely be admitted to the hospital and placed in intensive care.
Once the person is stable, the health care provider will do a more complete physical exam, including a brain and nervous system assessment.
Family members will be asked questions about the person's medical history, including:
Tests may include:
The outlook depends on the cause. There may be brain and nervous system injury and permanent brain damage, which can lead to:
Mayer SA, Badjatia N. Head injury. In: Wolfson AB, Hendey GW, Ling LJ, et al, eds. Harwood-Nuss' Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 70.
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