Absent 18F-FDG Uptake in the Brain—Unsuspected Brain Death. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pedersen, Mette Abildgaard; Jensen-Fangel, Søren; Nielsen, Edith; Borghammer, Per; Vendelbo, Mikkel Holm
• Is Part Of: Clinical nuclear medicine. Volume 45:Number 10(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: 18F-FDG -- brain death -- PET; Nuclear medicine -- Periodicals; Radioisotope scanning -- Periodicals; Nuclear Medicine -- Periodicals; 616.07575
• DOI: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000003237
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-9762

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Brain death is the complete, irreversible cessation of brain function, including the capacity for brainstem, respiratory, and vegetative activities. It is a clinical diagnosis that can be supplemented with brain perfusion imaging. Absent cerebral blood flow can be visualized with CT angiography or perfusion scintigraphy. 18 F-FDG PET/CT, visualizing glucose uptake, is another approach that has been shown to indicate brain death in small case series. We here present a case with unsuspected absent 18 F-FDG uptake and thus no metabolic activity, in the brain. The patient was declared brain dead later the same day.