A 27 year old nulliparous woman presented to the hospital in January 1983, at 22 weeks' gestation with five days of headache, progressing to vomiting and disorientation. Physical examination confirmed the pregnancy, with no other significant findings. A mildly abnormal lumbar puncture was noted. Four hours after presentation the patient had a generalized seizure, followed by respiratory arrest. Resuscitation was successful in restoring normal vital signs, but the patient's neurologic status was consistent with the diagnosis of brain death. No brainstem reflexes were present, and the EEG was isoelectric on two occasions two days apart. CT scan of the head showed a mass obstructing the fourth ventricle, with marked dilation of the lateral and third ventricles. The neurologic status was unchanged despite steroids, mannitol, and aggressive management of intracranial pressure. The fetal heart rate pattern was normal throughout. Because of the father's strongly expressed wishes, full cardiorespiratory support was to be provided until the fetus reached viability.