UNEXPECTED DEATH DURING A BRAIN SCINTIGRAPHY

Brain scintigraphy was performed for differential diagnosis of suspect ed subdural hemorrhage in a 79-year-old woman. Planar pertechnetate (( TcO4-)-Tc-99m) brain scan with AP, PA, lateral and vertex projections was planned. The procedure was started with AP-projection, continuing with lateral projections. After these images the patient was determine d dead and the planned scannings were aborted. There was a clear diffe rence in the intracranial uptake (choroid plexuses) in the lateral vie ws as well as in the uptake in the venous sinuses. The findings in the AP view were normal and no signs of subdural hemorrhage were observed . The patient died during a routine nuclear medicine procedure, and ce ssation of intracranial circulation was observable on (TcO4-)-Tc-99m s cans; the lack of uptake in cerebral sinuses confirmed the lack of int racerebral flow. In this rare case, brain death could be timed accurat ely using a static nuclear medicine procedure. Autopsy confirmed sudde n brain circulatory disorders and general arteriosclerosis.