Brain death

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Massive head injury, no signs of brain function but has been sedated so clinical tests not applicable at this time.

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Male
dsa

Right CCA: absent internal carotid artery filling despite adequate filling of the external carotid artery branches; Left CCA: tapered occlusion of the internal carotid artery at the skull base with no intracranial flow despite adequate filling of the external carotid branches.

Tapered occlusion of the terminal right vertebral artery at the skull base. 

Case Discussion

Typical features of brain death with absent cerebral blood - this occurs because the intracranial pressure exceeds the pulse pressure in the carotids and vertebral arteries. 

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