TY  - JOUR
T1  - RAdiologic diagnosis of brain death
AU  - Newberg A, Alavi A, van Rhijn S, Cotter A, Reilly P
Y1  - 2002/11/06
N1  - 10.1001/jama.288.17.2118
JO  - JAMA
SP  - 2121
EP  - 2122
VL  - 288
IS  - 17
N2  - 
To the Editor: The diagnosis of brain death
relies on clinical documentation that the patient is in a coma, has no brain
stem reflexes, and is apneic following maximal stimulation of respiratory
centers. The American Academy of Neurology calls for at least a 6-hour observation
period before a second clinical examination that is consistent with brain
death can be used to confirm the diagnosis.1 It
may be difficult and time consuming to make an official diagnosis of brain
death, however, especially when variables such as sedative drugs, hypothermia,
or acute metabolic derangements complicate the patient's status. Therefore
the diagnosis is often supported by confirmatory tests including radionuclide
brain perfusion imaging, cerebral angiography, electroencephalography, or
transcranial doppler.

SN  - 0098-7484
M3  - doi: 10.1001/jama.288.17.2118
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.17.2118
ER  -