Home Care:

Conditions associated with decerebrate posture require immediate hospital treatment.

Call your health care provider if:

Abnormal posturing of any sort usually goes along with reduced alertness. Anyone who has an abnormal posture should be examined promptly by the health care provider.

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

Emergency measures may begin immediately, including placement of an artificial airway (breathing tube) and assistance with breathing. You will likely be hospitalized in intensive care. Once you are stabilized, a 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:

• When did this behavior start?
• Is there a pattern to the occurrences?
• Is it always the same type of posture?
• 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:

• Cerebral angiography
• CT or MRI of the head
• EEG
• ICP monitoring