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