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Chapter 2 - Neuroradiology

from Section 1 - Neurologic Examination and Neurodiagnostic Testing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2024

By
Sheilah M. Curran-Melendez ,
Margaret S. Blackwood  and
Michael F. Goldberg
Edited by
Thomas P. Campbell  and
Kevin M. Kelly
Thomas P. Campbell
Affiliation:
Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
Kevin M. Kelly
Affiliation:
Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
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Summary

Nearly half of all emergency department (ED) visits in the United States result in some type of imaging study, a large number of which are performed for neurological complaints. Common presenting neurological complaints include headache, weakness, stroke, and trauma. Often the initial study performed for the evaluation of these complaints is an unenhanced computed tomography (CT) of the brain. However, as will be discussed below, certain presentations and clinical history can warrant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a superior first-line imaging test. This chapter seeks to provide guidance in imaging modality selection and to discuss imaging findings in common clinical presentations to the ED. When pertinent, alternative and recommended follow-up studies are also discussed

Keywords

cerebrovascular accidentarterial dissectiondural venous sinus thrombosiscarotid cavernous fistulahypoxic ischemic injurysubarachnoid hemorrhageCNS infectionspinal traumaspinal infectiondegenerative diseases of the spine
Type
Chapter
Information
Handbook of Emergency Neurology , pp. 8 - 35
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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