[The locked-in-syndrome (author's transl)].

On the basis of two cases some problems of the locked-in-syndrome are discussed. In most cases the cause of the syndrome is an infarct in the ventral part of the pons due to an occlusion of the vertebral or basilar artery. There is a total loss of movement exept for the movement of the eyes in all directions and the eye-closing. Although vigilance is almost not disturbed the complete loss of movement often results in a false diagnosis of cerebral coma. The EEG is an important diagnostic aid.