To familiarize radiologists with the cross-sectional imaging findings of brain death To describe the CT angiographic (CTA) findings in brain death To illustrate specific findings of brain death on various MRI sequences

Brain death is defined as a condition wherein there is irreversible cessation of all brain functions. It is of paramount medico legal significance in the context of more widespread organ transplantation programmes. It is mostly a clinical diagnosis; imaging and neurophysiological studies are not mandatory. However, in certain situations, clinical evaluation may be indeterminate or difficult to perform as in ocular trauma. In such cases, imaging has an important role to play. Pathophysiology of brain death- in cases of severe brain injury in form of...

Imaging findings CT scan of the brain would reveal Changes of theprimary injury(Figure 1), like intracranial hemorrhage, trauma etc with secondary changes of global hypoxia. There will bediffuse cerebral edemawith effacement of sulcal spaces, cisterns and the ventricles (Figure 2). Gray white matter differentiationwould be lost. White cerebellar signmay be appreciated due to diffuse hypodensity of cerebral parenchyma (Figure 3). Pseudo subarachnoid hemorrhagemay be seen due to presence of static blood which appears hyperdense in veins present in sulcal spaces (Figure 4). When mass effect...

Radiologists should be well aware of imaging findings of brain death as he/she may be the first one to suggest to clinician to assessfor brain death in presence of specific imaging findings.

A. Sharma; New Delhi/IN - nothing to disclose R. Sharma; Delhi/IN - nothing to disclose A. Aggarwal; New Delhi/IN - nothing to disclose

Quesnel C1, Fulgencio JP, Adrie C. Limitations of computed tomographic angiography in the diagnosis of brain death. Intensive Care Med. 2007;33:2129-35. Rizvi T, Batchala P, Mukherjee S.Brain Death: Diagnosis and Imaging Techniques. Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2018;39:515-529. van der Lugt A. Imaging tests in determination of brain death. Neuroradiology. 2010;52:945-7.