Document Detail


The role of spiral CT for the assessment of the intracranial circulation in suspected brain-death.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16733422     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the role of spiral CT for the diagnosis of brain death. METHODS: Over a 12-month period, 15 patients that fulfilled the clinical criteria of brain death were referred from the intensive care unit to evaluate remaining intracranial blood flow by spiral CT. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by an apnea test in all cases. Two phases of spiral CT were performed at 20 and 60 seconds after the start of contrast media injection. Qualitative analysis included the evaluation of vessel opacification (arteries and veins) by two radiologists in consensus. RESULTS: The cortical segments of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were assessable in all patients, whereas the internal cerebral veins could not be evaluated in five patients due to artifacts or intracranial hemorrhage. Opacification of the major branches of the circle of Willis was observed in seven cases. Unilateral opacification of cortical branches of the MCA occurred in one. We did not observe bilateral enhancement of cortical MCA branches. The internal cerebral veins did not enhance in brain death. CONCLUSION: The absence of internal cerebral vein opacification and the absence of bilateral enhancement of cortical MCA branches constituted the best criteria of brain death by contrast enhanced spiral CT.
Authors:
X Leclerc; C A Taschner; A Vidal; G Strecker; J Savage; J Y Gauvrit; J P Pruvo
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of neuroradiology. Journal de neuroradiologie     Volume:  33     ISSN:  0150-9861     ISO Abbreviation:  J Neuroradiol     Publication Date:  2006 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-05-30     Completed Date:  2006-07-13     Revised Date:  2008-02-20    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7705086     Medline TA:  J Neuroradiol     Country:  France    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  90-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroradiology, Hôpital Roger Salengro, University Hospital of Lille, France. xleclerc@chru-lille.fr
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Brain Death / diagnosis*
Cerebrovascular Circulation
Contrast Media
Female
Humans
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
Iohexol / diagnostic use
Male
Middle Aged
Middle Cerebral Artery
Tomography, Spiral Computed*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Contrast Media; 66108-95-0/Iohexol

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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