Lazarus sign and extensor posturing in a brain-dead patient. Case report

Abstract

A man was declared brain dead after having sustained a gunshot wound to the head. All clinical criteria for the diagnosis of brain death were met. The electroencephalogram was isoelectric, and four-vessel angiography demonstrated the absence of cerebral blood flow. However, stereotypic spontaneous movements were observed which persisted for several hours. The possible mechanism is discussed and a short review of the literature is given.