Effects on organ donation of transition from apnoeic-oxygenation to radioisotope brain scanning to diagnose brain death in children

Abstract

Lipophilic radionuclide scanning has been used since the late 1980's to diagnose brain death in adults and children [2,3] but the effect of this diagnostic mode on organ donation has not been studied. This study examines an institutional transition from the use of apnoeic-oxygenation testing as part of clinical testing of brain-stem function to the use of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) or radiopharmaceutical scan of the brain using Ceretec TM-Technetium Tc 99m Exametazine [(RR,SS)-4.8-diaza-3,6,6,9tetramethylundecane-2, 10-dione bisoxime, formerly known as Tc-99m HMPAO (hexamethylpropylene amine oxime)]. Ceretec TM is a diffusible lipophilic radiopharmaceutical which is rapidly