Use of Immediate Static Scans in Combination with Radionuclide Cerebral Angiography as a Confirmatory Test in the Diagnosis of Brain Death

Using a portable scintillation camera in combination with a portable computer, bedside acquisition of immediate static images in combination with a dynamic radionuclide cerebral angiogram can be quickly and safely performed as a confirmatory test in the diagnosis of brain death. Confusion in the differentiation of extra-cerebral from intracerebral flow on the dynamic radionuclide angiogram can be accomplished by identifying the presence or absence of uptake in the cerebral sinuses. Absence of intracerebral circulation on the dynamic radionuclide cerebral angiogram in combination with the lack of uptake in cerebral sinuses confirms the lack of intracerebral flow and can be used as confirmatory evidence of a diagnosis of brain death.