[The use of EEG in the diagnosis of brain death in France].

Scientific and modern conception of brain-death is rather recent, thus making possible organ transplantations. During the past three decades clinical criteria for brain-death have been defined. Electroencephalography (EEG) appears to be a complementary tool as it permits brain-death assessment. In France laws enforced respectively in 1968, 1978, 1991 and 1996 provide a framework for brain-death evaluation before organ transplantation and include EEG recording. Advantages and pitfalls of EEG in the diagnosis of brain-death are considered as this technique may be unreliable. Only evoked potential recordings can allow assessment and confirmation of brain stem death, which is a mandatory criterion. We recommend simultaneous EEG and either brain stem auditory or somatosensory evoked potential recordings to strengthen clinical criteria of brain-death and definitely prove it using objective electrophysiological criteria.