Brain death--think twice before labeling a patient.

Brain death is defined as the cessation of cerebral and brainstem function. A 12-year-old boy presented with alleged history of snake bite. He was brain dead with Glasgow Coma Score of 3 and absent corneal reflexes. However, it was only neuroparalytic effect of the venom, which improved in due course of time with antivenoms. This case highlights the occurrence of both internal and external ophthalmoplegia, which would mimic brain death in many ways, thus prompting an intensivist to consider withdrawing ventilatory support, which would be disastrous.