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Lazarus sign and extensor posturing in a brain-dead patient. Case report.
L Heytens1, J Verlooy, J Gheuens
1Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
Journal of Neurosurgery
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Brain death was diagnosed in a patient with a gunshot wound to the head, despite observed stereotypic movements. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive neurological assessment in diagnosing brain death.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- Establishing brain death requires meeting specific clinical criteria.
- Neuroimaging and electrophysiological tests are crucial diagnostic tools.
Observation:
- A patient with a gunshot wound to the head met all clinical criteria for brain death.
- Isoelectric electroencephalogram and absent cerebral blood flow were confirmed.
- Persistent stereotypic spontaneous movements were observed for several hours.
Findings:
- The presence of spontaneous movements in a brain-dead patient challenges typical diagnostic presentations.
- The study investigates potential mechanisms for these movements post-mortem.
Implications:
- This case underscores the need for careful interpretation of all clinical signs, including unusual movements, during brain death determination.
- Further research into the neurophysiological basis of such movements is warranted.