RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Radionuclide Evaluation of Brain Death in the Post-McMath Era
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine
JO J Nucl Med
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 1560
OP 1568
DO 10.2967/jnumed.116.174037
VO 57
IS 10
A1 Zuckier, Lionel S.
YR 2016
UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/57/10/1560.abstract
AB The pronouncement of death is a determination of paramount social, legal, and ethical import. The novel construct of “brain death” was introduced 50 years ago, yet there persist gaps in understanding regarding this diagnosis on the part of medical caregivers and families. The tragic, much-publicized case of Jahi McMath typifies potential problems that can be encountered with this diagnosis and serves as an effective point of departure for discussion. This article recapitulates the historical development of brain death and the evolution of scintigraphic examinations as ancillary or confirmatory studies, emphasizing updated clinical and imaging practice guidelines and the current role of scintigraphy. The limitations of clinical and radionuclide studies are then reviewed. Finally, the article examines whether radionuclide examinations might be able to play an expanded role in the determination of brain death by improving accuracy and facilitating effective communication with family members.