title: Scalp EMG in brain death electroencephalogram.
abstract: Electromyograms (EMGs) are usually considered artifacts during electroencephalographic (EEG) recording for determination of electrocerebral silence (ECS). Appearance of scalp motor unit activity, however, may reflect residual brainstem function and can introduce difficulty in establishing a secure diagnosis of brain death. In this study, ECS patients with and without scalp EMG were compared in terms of relationship to brainstem survivability. There was no correlation between length of survivability and presence of scalp EMG activity. No patient recovered brainstem function clinically. This study provides firm support for the usual practice of ignoring the EMG in brain death EEG. Scalp has no prognostic value.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001926:Brain Death; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003128:Coma / Q000175:diagnosis; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012535:Scalp