CT head (protocol)
Updates to Article Attributes
CT head also referred to as a(sometimes termed CT brain), refers to a computed tomography (CT) examination of the of the brain and surrounding structures. It can be performed as a single non-contrast study or the combination of a non-contrast and post-contrast (delayed) study. This allows the identification of abnormal contrast enhancement (e.g. tumours) and allows enhancement to be differentiated from intrinsic hyperdensity (e.g. blood).
Dynamic contrast-enhanced studies can also be performed of the brain to assess specific vascular structures (see CT venogram and CTA circle of Willis) as well as assess how blood passes through the brain parenchyma (see CT perfusion).
Historically, only axial planes were obtained. More recently it has become standard practice to obtain these scans volumetrically and reconstruct axial, sagittal and coronal planes (see CT head technique)
In addition to various planes, the images can also be reconstructed using different algorithms (e.g. bone algorithm or soft-tissue (brain) algorithm) and viewed with different windows (e.g. brain window, subdural window or bone window) to emphasize various tissue characteristics.
-<p><strong>CT head </strong>also referred to as a<strong> CT brain,</strong> refers to a <a href="/articles/computed-tomography">computed</a><a href="/articles/computed-tomography"> tomography (CT)</a> examination of the of the brain and surrounding structures. It can be performed as a single non-contrast study or the combination of a non-contrast and post-contrast (delayed) study. This allows the identification of abnormal contrast enhancement (e.g. tumours) and allows enhancement to be differentiated from intrinsic hyperdensity (e.g. blood). </p><p>Dynamic contrast-enhanced studies can also be performed of the brain to assess specific vascular structures (see <a href="/articles/ct-venogram">CT venogram</a> and <a href="/articles/cta-circle-of-willis">CTA circle of Willis</a>) as well as assess how blood passes through the brain parenchyma (see <a href="/articles/ct-perfusion-in-ischaemic-stroke">CT perfusion</a>).</p><p>Historically, only axial planes were obtained. More recently it has become standard practice to obtain these scans volumetrically and reconstruct axial, sagittal and coronal planes (see <a href="/articles/ct-head-technique-1">CT head technique</a>)</p><p>In addition to various planes, the images can also be reconstructed using different algorithms (e.g. bone algorithm or soft-tissue (brain) algorithm) and viewed with different windows (e.g. brain window, <a href="/articles/ct-head-subdural-window-1">subdural window</a> or bone window) to emphasize various tissue characteristics. </p>- +<p><strong>CT head </strong>(sometimes termed <strong>CT brain</strong>), refers to a <a href="/articles/computed-tomography">computed</a><a href="/articles/computed-tomography"> tomography (CT)</a> examination of the of the brain and surrounding structures. It can be performed as a single non-contrast study or the combination of a non-contrast and post-contrast (delayed) study. This allows the identification of abnormal contrast enhancement (e.g. tumours) and allows enhancement to be differentiated from intrinsic hyperdensity (e.g. blood). </p><p>Dynamic contrast-enhanced studies can also be performed of the brain to assess specific vascular structures (see <a href="/articles/ct-venogram">CT venogram</a> and <a href="/articles/cta-circle-of-willis">CTA circle of Willis</a>) as well as assess how blood passes through the brain parenchyma (see <a href="/articles/ct-perfusion-in-ischaemic-stroke">CT perfusion</a>).</p><p>Historically, only axial planes were obtained. More recently it has become standard practice to obtain these scans volumetrically and reconstruct axial, sagittal and coronal planes (see <a href="/articles/ct-head-technique-1">CT head technique</a>)</p><p>In addition to various planes, the images can also be reconstructed using different algorithms (e.g. bone algorithm or soft-tissue (brain) algorithm) and viewed with different windows (e.g. brain window, <a href="/articles/ct-head-subdural-window-1">subdural window</a> or bone window) to emphasize various tissue characteristics. </p>
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