Lazarus sign and extensor posturing in a brain-dead patient. Case report.
A man was declared brain dead after having sustained a gunshot wound to the head. All clinical criteria for the diagnosis of brain death were met. The electroencephalogram was isoelectric, and four-vessel angiography demonstrated the absence of cerebral blood flow. However, stereotypic spontaneous movements were observed which persisted for several hours. The possible mechanism is discussed and a short review of the literature is given.
Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
L
L
Heytens
J
J
Verlooy
J
J
Gheuens
L
L
Bossaert
D001926:Brain Death; D005121:Extremities / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior