Reliability of CT angiography scoring systems used for brain death and the effect of cranial interventions on the results

OBJECTIVE To assess vascular opacifications, the efficiency, and interobserver agreement (IOA) of five different computed tomography angiography (CTA) brain death (BD) scoring systems in patients with and without cranial interventions, for determining alternative findings correctly supporting BD diagnosis by CTA even in cranial intervention presence. METHODS 45 patients clinically identified with BD and evaluated with CTA were included. IOA of five different scoring systems used for CTA BD diagnosis, the effect of intracranial interventions on scoring systems, and vascular opacification were evaluated. RESULTS IOA was almost perfect (κ = 0.843-0.911, p < 0.05) and substantial (κ = 0.771-0.776, p < 0.05) in all scoring systems. Significant relationships were observed between craniectomy presence and middle cerebral artery M4 segment and internal cerebral vein (ICV) opacification. No opacification was observed in straight sinus (SS) by observers in any of the craniectomized patients. CONCLUSION IOA of CTA scoring systems is adequate. But a significant degree of false-negative results is observed due to ICV filling in craniectomy cases. Opacification presence in SS can give an idea of BD in these cases.