Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-nwzlb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-19T10:45:20.276Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

4 - Imaging of the nervous system

from I - Introduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2009

Michael Swash
Affiliation:
Royal London Hospital
Get access

Summary

Outcome research in neuroradiology is focused on two mainstays: diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology. The objective of diagnostic neuroradiology is to establish an accurate diagnosis and reveal criteria with respect to prognosis and optimal patient treatment. Adequate and rational utilization of the ‘instrumentarium’ of imaging techniques is mandatory. This has witnessed a dramatic change since the development of ventriculography and pneumencephalography in 1918–19 by W. E. Dandy, the introduction of myelography in 1922 by Sicard and the advent of cerebral angiography in 1927 by E. Moniz (Taveras 1990). However, the introduction of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have exerted the greatest impact on the development of neuroradiology as a specialty within the ‘neurosciences’ (Bucci 1991). The use of ionizing radiation by CT, myelography, angiography on the one hand, and the use of ultrasound and radiowaves of particular frequency by Doppler sonography and MRI respectively, result in differing diagnostic capabilities available for a broad spectrum of physiological and pathological conditions. PET, magnetic resonance angiography and functional imaging, and Doppler sonography, have extended the information provided from a mere morphological to a functional level. With interventional neuroradiology a rapidly developing specialty is providing a therapeutic alternative to surgery in many vascular pathologies. Tables 4.1–4.7 conceptualize our experience by attributing a specific diagnostic modality to the most frequent pathologies. Taking into account that access to hardware and software even among university hospitals differs, the potential of the currently used imaging devices is discussed with particular emphasis on criteria affecting patient prognosis and improving our ability to forecast outcomes.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×