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Diagnostic radiology

Neuroimaging

113 topics with concise reviews: definitions, key facts, and class questions.

Neuroimaging is one of the most extensive and clinically vital sections of diagnostic radiology. Here we examine how the normal radiation anatomy of the brain, orbits, temporal bones, and deep neck spaces appears on CT and MRI to establish a baseline for pathology detection.

The material covers all key nosologies. You will study traumatic brain injury patterns (from skull fractures to DAI and hematomas), vascular catastrophes (ASPECTS score, hemorrhage stages), as well as infections, demyelinating processes (multiple sclerosis), and neurodegeneration (Alzheimer's disease). A dedicated section covers neurooncology, ranging from CNS tumor classification to MR perfusion, MR spectroscopy, and differential diagnosis with radiation necrosis.

Practical classes and exams place the greatest emphasis on indications for imaging in head trauma, the ability to assess ischemia using ASPECTS, intracranial hemorrhage staging, and basic signs of space-occupying lesions (glioblastoma, metastases, abscess). The articles in this section will help you quickly structure this knowledge.

Section Topics

Cerebral cortexCortex cerebriBasal gangliaNuclei basalesNeuroimaging anatomy of the brainEncephalonPituitary glandHypophysisVentricular system of the brainVentriculi cerebriCerebellumCerebellumMedulla oblongataMedulla oblongataBlood supply to the brainArteria carotis internaCerebral veinsVenae encephaliNeurosonographyNeurosonography and modern neuroimaging techniques allow fastBrain computed tomographyComputed tomography (CT) of the brain is a diagnostic imaging methodCT artifactsComputed tomography artifacts are distortions in the obtained imagMRI sequencesMRI sequences are combinations of radiofrequency pulses and magnFunctional MRIFunctional MRI (fMRI) is a diagnostic imaging method that allowsIntraoperative MRIIntraoperative MRI is a neuroimaging method performed directInterventional neuroradiologyInterventional neuroradiology is a field combining methodsBrain CT perfusionBrain CT perfusion is a specialized diagnostic imaging methodComputed tomography of the head and neckComputed tomography (CT) of the head and neck is a priority imagTraumatic brain injuryTrauma craniocerebraleSkull fractureFractura craniiIndications for Neuroimaging in Head TraumaThe primary goal of diagnostic imaging in traumatic brain injury is to promptlyStages of Intracranial HemorrhageThe stage of an intracranial hemorrhage is determined by the state of hemogloEpidural hematomaHaematoma epiduraleSubdural hematomaHaematoma subduraleDiffuse Axonal InjuryDiffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a type of severe traumatic brain injuCerebral contusionContusio cerebriBrain Herniation SyndromeBrain herniation syndrome is a life-threatening displacement of brain structuresDiagnostic Imaging of the NeckDiagnostic imaging of the neck is a complex of visualization methods to evaluateDiagnostic Imaging of Intracranial TumorsDiagnostic imaging of intracranial tumors aims to precisely determineMR Perfusion and MR Spectroscopy of Brain TumorsModern neuroimaging goes beyond simple anatomical assessmentClassification of CNS TumorsCentral nervous system tumors are classified by localization into intraAstrocytoma and GlioblastomaAstrocytoma and glioblastoma are neuroepithelial tumors of the brainPseudoprogression and Radiation NecrosisPseudoprogression is an inflammatory reaction of brain tissue toCentral Nervous System LymphomaCentral nervous system lymphoma is a severe malignant lesionBrain MetastasesSecondary tumor involvement of the central nervous system, diagnosedChoroid Plexus TumorsIntraventricular neoplasms represent a heterogeneous groupMeningiomaMeningiomaVestibular schwannomaSchwannoma vestibulareChordomaChordomaPineal Region TumorsPineal region tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasmsInternal Carotid Artery AneurysmAneurysm of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery is a vascularBrain Cyst on MRIPrecise diagnosis of a brain cyst using magnetic resonanceIschemic StrokeSuddenly developing persistent neurological deficit caused by a partialASPECTS Score and CT PerfusionThe ASPECTS score and CT perfusion methods are key imaging toolsChronic Brain InfarctsChronic cerebral infarction is the outcome of ischemic damageCarotid StenosisCarotid stenosis is the narrowing of the carotid artery lumen leading toCerebral Small Vessel DiseaseCerebral small vessel disease is a pathological process characterized byCerebral Venous ThrombosisCerebral venous thrombosis is an acute vascular pathology caused bySubarachnoid HemorrhageSubarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening accumulationIntracerebral HemorrhageIntracerebral hemorrhage is a critical cerebrovascular impairmentCerebral Arteriovenous MalformationsArteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a pathological vascular anomalyIntracranial InfectionsIntracranial infections cover a wide spectrum of life-threatening conditionsBrain abscessAbscessus cerebriBacterial CNS InfectionsBacterial infections of the central nervous system comprise life-threateningViral encephalitisEncephalitis viralisCNS Involvement in HIV InfectionCentral nervous system involvement in HIV infection includes a spectrum ofNeurocysticercosisNeurocysticercosisCerebral echinococcosisEchinococcosis cerebriNeurodegenerative DiseasesNeurodegenerative diseases are a group of progressive brain pathologiesAge-Related Brain ChangesWith age, the brain undergoes predictable structural changesAlzheimer's diseaseMorbus AlzheimerVascular dementiaDementia vascularisDiagnostic Imaging of Parkinsonism and Atypical DementiasDiagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases requires precise analysis of dataEpilepsyEpilepsiaMultiple sclerosisSclerosis multiplexPseudotumoral Demyelinating LesionsPseudotumoral (tumefactive) demyelinating lesions are a group ofNeuromyelitis optica and spectrum disordersNeuromyelitis opticaAcute Hemorrhagic LeukoencephalitisAcute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis is a severe lesion of structuresPrimary Central Nervous System AngiitisPrimary central nervous system angiitis is a rare, severe, idiopathicNeurosarcoidosisNeurosarcoidosis represents specific involvement of the centralNeuro-Behcet's DiseaseNeuro-Behcet's disease is a severe neurological manifestation of systemicNeuro lupusNeuro lupus is a severe central nervous system involvement developingPost-Radiation NeurotoxicityPost-radiation neurotoxicity encompasses a spectrum of structural changesPosterior Reversible Encephalopathy SyndromePosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a pathological conditionToxic EncephalopathyToxic encephalopathy is a severe brain injury caused byMELAS SyndromeMELAS syndrome represents a pathological condition characterized byWernicke EncephalopathyWernicke encephalopathy is a severe neurological condition thatOsmotic DemyelinationOsmotic demyelination (central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis)Hepatic EncephalopathyHepatic encephalopathy is a severe neurological complication arising fromMRI of the Brain and NeckMagnetic resonance and computed tomography are key toolsMRI of Cerebral ArteriesMagnetic resonance imaging is a key method for evaluating intracranialMRI of Head and Neck VesselsVascular imaging is a complex of instrumental methods (MRI, CT, ultrasound)Focal Brain Lesions on MRIFocal brain lesions on MRI are areas of pathologicalAnatomy of the orbit and eyeballOrbita / Bulbus oculiOphthalmoplegiaOphthalmoplegiaCoats diseaseRetinitis exsudativaScleral staphylomaStaphyloma scleraeInflammatory orbital diseasesPseudotumor orbitae / Myositis orbitalisOrbital lymphomaLymphoma orbitaeVascular malformations of the orbitHaemangioma cavernosum orbitaeTumors of the orbit and eyeballRetinoblastoma / Rhabdomyosarcoma orbitaeOrbital and eyeball traumaTrauma orbitaePathology of the visual pathwaysNervus opticus / Chiasma opticumOptic neuritisNeuritis opticaLesions of the Posterior Visual PathwayLesions of the posterior visual pathway (optic radiation and cortex)Diagnostic Imaging of the Orbit and EyeComprehensive imaging assessment of the orbit and eyeball requires competentOrbital MRIOrbital MRI is a high-precision neuroimaging method for assessing intraorbitalOptic Nerve MRIMagnetic resonance imaging is the leading neuroimaging method forTemporal bone and earOs temporaleHead and Neck ParagangliomasHead and neck paragangliomas are specific tumorsParanasal sinuses and nasal cavitySinus paranasalesSalivary glandsGlandulae salivariaeFacial Skull TraumaFacial skull trauma includes various fractures of the jaws, zygomatic bones,Temporomandibular jointArticulatio temporomandibularisDeep neck spaces and pharynxPharynxLarynxLarynxThyroid and parathyroid glandsGlandula thyroideaParanasal Sinus MRIMagnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses is used to addressCT of the Facial SkeletonThree-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) is the gold standardThyroid MRIMagnetic resonance and computed tomography are not routine methodsLaryngeal X-rayDiagnostic imaging of the larynx and adjacent airway divisions includesDiagnostic Imaging of the Temporomandibular JointThe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex diarthrodial synovialStroke on MRIMagnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate method for diagnosing infarction

Frequently asked questions for this section

What is the difference between the isocortex and the allocortex?

Isocortex (neocortex) is an evolutionarily new cortex consisting of 6 layers. Allocortex is the old cortex, having only 3 cellular layers.

Why did the corpus striatum get this name?

Due to its specific appearance on a section. The caudate nucleus and globus pallidus are connected by bridges of gray matter through the fibers of the internal capsule, which creates a "striated" texture.

Why might the interventricular foramen of Monro appear dark on T2-WI?

This is due to the flow void phenomenon caused by the directed flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the foramen.

What causes the pituitary "bright spot" phenomenon on MRI?

This phenomenon appears on T1-weighted images in the region of the posterior lobe (neurohypophysis). A hyperintense (high) signal occurs due to the presence of a large number of neurosecretory granules in this zone.

What structures connect the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle?

The lateral ventricles communicate with the third ventricle via the interventricular foramina of Monro (Foramen of Monro).

Why do some brainstem and cerebellar nuclei appear dark on T2-WI?

The decrease in signal intensity in the dentate and red nuclei, as well as in the substantia nigra, is associated with the natural physiological deposition of iron in these tissues.

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