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Neurocritical Care

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01-10-2009 | Practical Pearl

False Positive CT Angiography in Brain Death

Authors: David M. Greer, Dorothea Strozyk, Lee H. Schwamm

Published in: Neurocritical Care | Issue 2/2009

Abstract

Introduction

Ancillary testing is frequently required in the determination of death by brain criteria, particularly in cases in which the clinical examination is drawn into question. Newer tests, such as computed tomographic angiography (CTA), have garnered enthusiasm for their ease of performance, but have not been validated as acceptable tests compared with a gold standard.

Case

We present a case of a 31-year-old patient who was felt to have cerebral circulatory arrest on CTA, but was subsequently found to have evidence of preserved cerebral blood flow on transcranial Doppler, thus precluding the diagnosis death by brain criteria.

Discussion

CTA is not a validated confirmatory test for cerebral circulatory arrest in brain death, and may be falsely positive.

Conclusion

CTA should be studied further in comparison to validated tests, such as conventional angiography or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), before being accepted as a standard ancillary test in determining death by brain criteria.

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Title: False Positive CT Angiography in Brain Death
Authors: David M. Greer
Dorothea Strozyk
Lee H. Schwamm
Publication date: 01-10-2009
Publisher: Humana Press Inc
Published in: Neurocritical Care / Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 1541-6933
Electronic ISSN: 1556-0961
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-009-9220-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

False Positive CT Angiography in Brain Death

Abstract

Introduction

Case

Discussion

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Case

Discussion

Conclusion

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