Non-contrast CT

Non-contrast CT is the investigation of choice to identify acute intracranial bleed and hence is the preliminary investigation in acute head injury.

NCCT is also the investigation of choice for brain hemorrhage and calcification. For all the other neurological lesions, the investigation of choice is MRI.

Investigation of choice in Neurology

Generally, MRI is considered the best imaging for the spinal cord and nerves.

Conditions in which MRI is used include:

  • Optic neuritis
  • Vestibular schwannoma
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Pituitary adenoma
  • Spinal cord tumor
  • Neurofibroma
  • Viral encephalitis
  • Hippocampal volumetry

CT scan is preferred when the timing is critical. So, the investigation of choice for stroke is an NCCT This helps to rule out hemorrhagic stroke.

The investigation of choice for ischemic stroke is a diffusion-weighted MRI.

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