Tc‐99m‐HMPAO SPECT in the diagnosis of brain death in children

Background : The diagnosis of brain death is based on both clinical and laboratory findings. However, diagnosis of brain death is still contentious and reliable tests are required. Early recognition and declaration of the diagnosis is the main goal, which is important for discontinuation of life support and organ donation for transplantation. In order to achieve this goal, competent diagnostic procedures should be performed. In this paper the authors review the diagnosis of brain death in eight children from different age groups, with an emphasis on factors concerning the reliability, use and appropriate application time of Tc‐99m‐HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in early diagnosis in infants and newborns.