How do we scan the brain?
There are three major types of brain scans.
They are computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positive emission tomography (PET).
Dignity Health Central Coast neurologists use brain scans to test for conditions affecting the nervous system, including: Brain tumor or cysts..
What is a computed cranial tomography of the brain?
A head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.
CT stands for computerized tomography.
In this procedure, a thin X-ray beam is rotated around the area of the body to be visualized..
What is detected on a brain CT scan?
A CT brain is ordered to look at the structures of the brain and evaluate for the presence of pathology, such as mass/tumor, fluid collection (such as an abcess), ischemic processes (such as a stroke)..
What is the difference between CT and MRI of brain?
They're both great, just in different ways.
I think of them as complementary, because they give us different types of information.
Generally, CT scans are better at spatial resolution, while MRIs are better at contrast resolution..
- A brain MRI can help doctors look for conditions such as bleeding, swelling, problems with the way the brain developed, tumors, infections, inflammation, damage from an injury or a stroke, or problems with the blood vessels.
The MRI also can help doctors look for causes of headaches or seizures.
