Brain death confirmed by Tc(99m) DTPA scan in a case of subarachnoid haemorrhage following a krait bite.

Brain death is defined as the cessation of cerebral and brainstem function. It is a clinical diagnosis made on the results of a series of brainstem reflex testing, in the absence of endogenous or exogenous poisons, toxins and hypothermia confounding the clinical picture. It is known that certain chemical agents in snake toxin can alter the neuronal function mimicking brainstem death. In such situations, an objective method of demonstrating brainstem death becomes essential. The demonstration of lack of cerebral perfusion is the diagnostic criterion for brain death. Here we discuss a case of brain death confirmed by a reliable and quick method using Tc 99m DTPA cerebral perfusion scan following a krait bite.