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Magnetic resonance: A noninvasive approach to metabolism, circulation, and morphology in human brain death
Author(s) -
Aichner F.,
Felber S.,
Birbamer G.,
Luz G.,
Judmaier W.,
Schmutzhard E.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410320405
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , morphology (biology) , human brain , medicine , neuroscience , biology , radiology , zoology
Phosphorus ( 31 P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging were used to study the intracellular metabolism, circulation, and morphology in the brains of 3 patients with clinical brain death syndrome due to traumatic brain damage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and acute occlusive hydrocephalus caused by a colloid cyst. Magnetic resonance spectra were characterized by a complete absence of ATP and were dominated by an intense inorganic phosphate signal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a uniform pattern of diffuse brain swelling and tentorial and foraminal herniation. Intracranial blood flow was absent on the magnetic resonance angiography projections. These preliminary findings suggest an important impact of magnetic resonance in the determination of human brain death.