Does conventional x-ray assess for intracranial abnormalities?
No. Conventional x-ray does not have a significant role in assessing for intracranial
abnormalities
What does contrast do?
Emphasizes certain structures by blocking x-rays. Appears white on imaging.
What are indications for a CT Brain?
Acute stroke/CVA or acute and severe headache with suspicion of ICH or head
trauma. Order non-contrasted CT Brain.
What can appear white on a non-contrasted CT Brain?
Bone, blood, or metallic foreign body.
When would you NOT give contrast?
Contrast allergy or renal failure. DO NOT give contrast if creatinine is greater than
1.5 mg/dL (can cause acute tubular necrosis)
What is the brain window?
Brain window is used to assess densities that are close to the average density of
brain soft tissue. "Windowing"-the process for which CT imaging is manipulated on a
gray scale based on certain numbers to change or enhance the appearance of the
image to highlight specific features. Brain window has limited info on bone
structures.
What is the bone window?
Bone window looks at bone density. *Allows you to look at both windows (brain and
bone) when reviewing a CT brain. The windows allow the clinician to optimize
specific anatomic details.
What are the three plane views for CT brain?
Axial, Coronal and Sagittal
What is the most common view to assess the brain?
Axial view
What is white matter in the brain?
White matter: centrally located, dark, high content of myelinated axons.
No. Conventional x-ray does not have a significant role in assessing for intracranial
abnormalities
What does contrast do?
Emphasizes certain structures by blocking x-rays. Appears white on imaging.
What are indications for a CT Brain?
Acute stroke/CVA or acute and severe headache with suspicion of ICH or head
trauma. Order non-contrasted CT Brain.
What can appear white on a non-contrasted CT Brain?
Bone, blood, or metallic foreign body.
When would you NOT give contrast?
Contrast allergy or renal failure. DO NOT give contrast if creatinine is greater than
1.5 mg/dL (can cause acute tubular necrosis)
What is the brain window?
Brain window is used to assess densities that are close to the average density of
brain soft tissue. "Windowing"-the process for which CT imaging is manipulated on a
gray scale based on certain numbers to change or enhance the appearance of the
image to highlight specific features. Brain window has limited info on bone
structures.
What is the bone window?
Bone window looks at bone density. *Allows you to look at both windows (brain and
bone) when reviewing a CT brain. The windows allow the clinician to optimize
specific anatomic details.
What are the three plane views for CT brain?
Axial, Coronal and Sagittal
What is the most common view to assess the brain?
Axial view
What is white matter in the brain?
White matter: centrally located, dark, high content of myelinated axons.
