Spontaneous and reflex movements in brain death

Spontaneous and reflex movements may be found in patients with brain death (BD). The authors prospectively evaluated their frequency using a standardized protocol. Among 38 patients who fulfilled criteria for BD, the authors found 15 (39%) with spontaneous or reflex movements. The most common movement was finger jerks. Undulating toe flexion sign, triple flexion response, Lazarus sign, pronation-extension reflex, and facial myokymia also were seen. These movements may be more common than reported and do not preclude the diagnosis of BD.