[Imaging Techniques for the Diagnosis of Brain Death]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Traditional diagnosis of brain death in Japan includes deep coma, fixed pupils, absent brainstem reflexes, flat electroencephalogram (EEG), and lack of spontaneous respiration.
• International consensus in 2020 recommended utilizing cerebral blood flow imaging techniques.
• These imaging methods are proposed as ancillary tests to prevent false-positive brain death diagnoses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe imaging techniques for determining brain death.
• To align with international consensus on brain death diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging modalities evaluating cerebral blood flow.
• Discussion of their role as ancillary tests in brain death determination.

Main Results:

• Cerebral blood flow imaging offers an alternative/supplementary approach to EEG.
• Imaging techniques can help negate false-positive diagnoses of brain death.

Conclusions:

• Imaging techniques evaluating cerebral blood flow are crucial for accurate brain death diagnosis.
• Adoption of these methods supports international standards for confirming brain death.