Spontaneous and reflex movements in brain death

Article abstract Spontaneous and reflex movements may be found in patients with brain death (BD). The authors prospectively evaluated their frequency using a standardized protocol. Among 38 patients who fulfilled criteria for BD, the authors found 15 (39%) with spontaneous or reflex movements. The most common movement was finger jerks. Undulating toe flexion sign, triple flexion response, Lazarus sign, pronation–extension reflex, and facial myokymia also were seen. These movements may be more common than reported and do not preclude the diagnosis of BD.

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