Neuroradiology

Question 1

Indications to perform a CT scan

Answer 1

NICE guidelines for stroke
NICE guidelines for head trauma
SIGN guidelines for headache - red flag signs for suspected tumour or subarachnoid haemorrhage
Cancer - look for metastatic or primary brain tumours
Post-surgical e.g. to assess hydrocephalus/haemorrhage

Question 2

Contraindications for performing a CT scan

Answer 2

Minor head trauma exclusion criteria - NICE and SIGN guidelines
Seizure - NICE guidelines

Question 3

Indications to perform an MRI

Answer 3

Epilepsy - NICE and SIGN guidelines, and if surgery is complicated
Spine - assess intervertebral disc degeneration causing neural compression
Assess demyelination e.g. to diagnose MS
Cancer
Headache - benign intracranial hypertension
Stroke (usually second line to CT)
Paediatric neurology disorders of development, head circumference or congenital malformations

Question 4

Contraindications to perform an MRI

Answer 4

Implanted electronics e.g. pacemakers
Moveable metallic implants e.g. aneurysm clips
Relative contraindications e.g. claustrophobia, pregnancy, tattoos

Question 5

Uses of functional MRI

Answer 5

Examine anatomy of brain
Determine part of brain handling critical functions
Assess effects of stroke, trauma or degenerative disease
monitor growth and function of brain tumours
Guid planning of surgery, radiation or other surgical treatments

Question 6

Uses of PET scan

Answer 6

Map out glucose usage, particularly in;
Tumours
Inflammation
Infection

Question 7

Uses of angiography

Answer 7

Large vascular abnormalities
Diagnosis and treatment of;
aneurysm 
atriovenous malformation 
carotidocavernous fistula 
unstoppable epistaxis

Question 8

Uses of CT perfusion scan

Answer 8

Stroke

Tumour