Neuroradiology

Question 1

Indications to perform a CT scan

Answer 1

Head trauma, acute stroke, headache with red flags for tumour or subarachnoid haemorrhage, metastatic cancer, post-surgery hydrocephalus or haemorrhage

Question 2

Indications to perform an MRI scan

Answer 2

demyelination, CNS tumours, spine- for intervertebral disc prolapse, TIA, epilsepy, paediatric neurology, headache

Question 3

Contraindications to MRI

Answer 3

Cardiac pacemaker, implantable defibs, cochlear implants, programmable shunts, insulin pumps
moveable metallic implants- aneurysm clips, heart valves, recent intra-abdominal clips
claustrophobia, pregnancy, tattoos

Question 4

What are angiographs used for and what do they diagnose?

Answer 4

Used for diagnosis of large vascular abnormalities, they diagnose and treat: aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, carotidocavernous fistula, unstoppable epistaxis

Question 5

Name 2 disorders of abnormal perfusion

Answer 5

stroke- there is decreased perfusion and tumour there is increased perfusion which indicated angiogenesis and a more aggressive tumour

Question 6

What are the uses of a PET scan?

Answer 6

To map out the glucose usage, increased metabolism is seen in tumour, inflammation and infection.

Useful after brain tumour resection for differentiating granulation tissue (low energy usage) from leftover tumour (high energy usage)