Absent 18F-FDG Uptake in the Brain-Unsuspected Brain Death

Clin Nucl Med. 2020 Oct;45(10):e433-e434. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000003237.

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. 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 F-FDG uptake and thus no metabolic activity, in the brain. The patient was declared brain dead later the same day.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain Death / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Death / metabolism*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18