JMCR: Clinical Minute

Sadeghi, D., Mortazavi, S.R. & Khoeini, T. Lazarus phenomenon in a brain-dead patient: a case report. J Med Case Reports (2026).
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Article Highlights

  • Reports a rare lower-limb–predominant variant of the Lazarus phenomenon in a patient with confirmed brain death.
  • Demonstrates that complex spinal reflex movements can persist despite fulfillment of all accepted clinical criteria for brain death, including absent brainstem reflexes and a positive apnea test.
  • Highlights the importance of distinguishing stimulus-induced spinal reflexes from purposeful or brain-mediated motor activity to avoid diagnostic confusion.
  • Reinforces clinician awareness of atypical manifestations of the Lazarus phenomenon to support accurate brain death determination and timely organ donation.
  • Expands the clinical spectrum of spinal reflexes observed after brain death and contributes to the literature on neurologic examination in critical care.

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