Imaging of Nontraumatic Neuroradiology Emergencies

Kathleen R Fink; Jayson L Benjert

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2015.02.004

Imaging of Nontraumatic Neuroradiology Emergencies

Radiol Clin North Am. 2015 Jul;53(4):871-90, x. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2015.02.004.

Authors

Kathleen R Fink¹, Jayson L Benjert²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Box 359728, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. Electronic address: ktozer@u.washington.edu.
² Department of Radiology, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA.

PMID: 26046515
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2015.02.004

Abstract

Imaging of acute neurologic disease in the emergency department can be challenging because of the wide range of possible causes and the overlapping imaging appearance of many of these entities on nonenhanced computed tomography (CT). The key to formulating a succinct, pertinent differential diagnosis includes characterizing the pattern of abnormalities on CT and identifying key features that suggest a particular diagnosis. This article divides neurologic emergencies into 5 scenarios based on the CT findings, including subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, vasogenic edema without and with underlying mass lesion, and acute hydrocephalus. Specific common or important diagnoses in each category are discussed.

Keywords: Hydrocephalus; Neurologic abnormalities; Subarachnoid hemorrhage; Vasogenic edema.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain Edema / diagnostic imaging*
Brain Injuries / diagnostic imaging
Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Cerebral Angiography / methods*
Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
Critical Care / methods*
Diagnosis, Differential
Emergency Medical Services / methods
Humans
Hydrocephalus / diagnostic imaging*
Neuroradiography / methods
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*