Brazilian guidelines for the application of transcranial ultrasound as a diagnostic test for the confirmation of brain death

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2012 May;70(5):373-80. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2012000500012.

Abstract

Neurosonological studies, specifically transcranial Doppler (TCD) and transcranial color-coded duplex (TCCD), have high level of specificity and sensitivity and they are used as complementary tests for the diagnosis of brain death (BD). A group of experts, from the Neurosonology Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, created a task force to determine the criteria for the following aspects of diagnosing BD in Brazil: the reliability of TCD methodology; the reliability of TCCD methodology; neurosonology training and skills; the diagnosis of encephalic circulatory arrest; and exam documentation for BD. The results of this meeting are presented in the current paper.

Publication types

  • Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Brain Death / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brazil
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Health Personnel / education*
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training / standards
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / methods
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / standards*