title: Head turning in brain death.
abstract: Criteria for determination of brain death in adults have been defined. Spinal cord reflexes may persist after brain death. We present the case of a brain dead patient who had a complex spinal automatism resulting in head shaking and arm extension. The report reviews guidelines for the diagnosis of brain death and discusses complex spinal cord reflexes in brain dead patients.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida College of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Tampa 33612-4788, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: O'Lenic
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Cane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D001332:Automatism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001926:Brain Death / Q000175:diagnosis; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology