Underwent Brain Computed Tomography Scan Research Articles

Incidental findings in brain CT scans of patients with head trauma

Objective: Incidental findings (IFs) are newly discovered abnormal findings unrelated to the primary purpose of imaging. Brain computed tomography (CT) scan is one of the most essential and initial imaging evaluations for head trauma patients, which may also have nontraumatic IFs. We aim to investigate the prevalence and nature of IFs in brain CT scans of head trauma patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate brain CT scans of 1006 head trauma patients over one year (April 2021 to March 2022), to identify incidental findings by consensus agreement of two radiologists. We categorized the incidental findings into four categories based on appropriate follow-up recommendations. Results: We included 1006 head trauma patients who underwent brain CT scan, of which 126 incidental findings were discovered in brain CT scan of 107 patients. The prevalence of incidental findings was 10.6% (107/1006). The most common incidental finding was brain atrophy (n=15, 11.9%). The mean age of patients with IFs was significantly higher than those without IFs, but there was no difference between the two groups regarding gender. Conclusion: The discovery rate of incidental findings of brain CT scans in head trauma patients was considerable. Serious medical findings that need immediate evaluation were found in 5.6% of patients, mostly over the age of 40. Therefore, patients who have clinically significant incidental findings need improved documentation and follow-up to evaluate the long-term outcomes and reliability of imaging results.

Early Postoperative Computed Tomography Scan Air Distribution Predicts Postoperative CSF Leak in Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak remains the primary concern of endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS). Pneumocephalus seen in postoperative images has been linked to CSF leak in some reports; however, few studies have looked at the extent to which it is indicative of CSF leak. In the current study, we aim to examine the size and location of post-ESBS pneumocephalus in the early postoperative period and determine their association with postoperative CSF leak. Patients undergoing ESBS in a 5-year period were included. All patients underwent brain computed tomography scan within the first 24 postoperative hours. Computed tomography scans were reviewed by a neurosurgeon and a radiologist and have been classified based on the size and location of pneumocephalus. Patients were followed in the postoperative period for clinical signs of CSF leak and managed accordingly. Out of 120 patients, 86 patients met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-five patients (41%) had no pneumocephalus on day one postoperative imaging, while 51 patients (59%) had pneumocephalus with different sizes and distributions. Eleven of 86 patients developed CSF leak. Of the 11 patients, 5 patients (45%) had grade 4 pneumocephalus (P value=0.02). Patients with multiple locations of pneumocephalus were more likely to develop CSF leak (P value=0.01). In post-ESBS patients, both the volume and location of the pneumocephalus are potentially predictive of CSF leak. In patients with a larger volume of intra-axial air and/or multiple air locations, an impending CSF leak should be anticipated.

CORRELATION OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND INTRAOPERATIVE FINDINGS WITH CLINICAL SYMPTOMS IN HEAD TRAUMA PATIENTS

Hematoma in different parts of the brain is one of the most important complications of head injury and is associated with high mortality and morbidity rate. The aim of this study was evaluation of the relationship between Computed Tomography (CT) and intraoperative findings with clinical symptoms in head trauma patients. In this study 95 patients with cerebral hemorrhage due to head trauma, referred to Taleghani Hospital in Kermanshah were studied. After an initial clinical examination, the level of consciousness determined according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was recorded. All patients underwent brain CT scan and findings were recorded, including size and location of the hematoma. Patients in all treatment such as surgical procedures under the supervision, and the information on their status was recorded until discharge or death. It was found that most patients (38%) were between 40-20 years: 73% of patients were male, while 27% were female. The outcome of 35 patients (35.4%) were normal, 12 patients (12.3%) had moderate disability, 9 patients (9.2%) had severe disability, 11 patients (10.8%) vegetative state and 31 patients (32.3%) died. There was a significant association between location of the hematoma and hematoma in CT scan and outcome of patients with cerebral hemorrhage caused by trauma (P<0.05). We also found a significant association between size of the hematoma and midline shift in CT scan with outcome of patients with cerebral hemorrhage caused by trauma (P<0.05). The prognosis of patients with traumatic brain injury depends on location of the hematoma; volume of hematoma, midline shift in CT scan and length of trauma to surgery more than 4 hours.

Delayed post-traumatic Tension Hydropneumocephalus; a Case Report of Conservative Treatment

Pneumocephalus refers to the presence of air in the cranial cavity. Trauma is the most common cause of acquired pneumocephalus. Tension pneumocephalus occurs when intracranial accumulation of air causes high pressure on the brain as compared to extracranial pressure. Tension pneumocephalus is usually acute, and causes neurological symptoms, and its delayed form rarely occurs. A 12-year-old girl presented with a headache, lethargy, mild fever, and nausea from two days before admission to emergency department of Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Qazvin, Iran. The patient had a history of head trauma in a driving accident six weeks before and had undergone brain computed tomography (CT) scan in another centre, which had revealed no sign of pneumocephalus. The patient had been treated for one week and had been discharged in good general condition. Considering her reduced consciousness, the patient underwent brain CT scan again in our centre. CT scan revealed tension hydropneumocephalus. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for treatment. Considering the trend of her recovery, the patient was a candidate for conservative non-surgical therapy based on the in-charge neurosurgery specialist’s decision. The patient reported no complications during the six-month follow-up. Delayed tension pneumocephalus is among neurosurgery emergencies usually treated with early surgical intervention and dura defect restoration, but this patient received non-surgical treatment without any serious problem during the six-month follow-up.

Usefulness of a quantitative analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid volume proportion in brain computed tomography for predicting neurological prognosis in cardiac arrest survivors who undergo target temperature management

PurposeBrain swelling post-cardiac arrest may affect cerebrospinal fluid volume. We aimed to investigate the prognostic performance of the proportion of cerebrospinal fluid volume (pCSFV) using brain computed tomography (CT) in cardiac arrest survivors. Materials and MethodsThis retrospective multicentre study included adult comatose cardiac arrest survivors who underwent brain CT scan prior to target temperature management (TTM) from 2015 to 2016. Grey-to-white matter ratio (GWR) and pCSFV values were calculated. pCSFV analysis was performed using automated quantitative analysis programming. The primary outcome was a 6-month neurological outcome. ResultsOf 251 patients (median age, 57 years), 173 (68.9%) were male, 87 (34.7%) had a shockable rhythm, and 160 (63.7%) had unfavourable neurological outcomes. GWR but not pCSFV was significantly higher in terms of favourable neurological outcomes (p = .015). pCSFV prognostic performances were similar to GWR, and were poor overall, (0.521; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.446–0.694 vs. 0.515; 95% CI, 0.441–0.589). After adjusting for covariates, pCSFV but not GWR was independently associated with neurological outcome 6 months following cardiac arrest (p = .049). ConclusionpCSFV was independently associated with neurological outcome 6 months following cardiac arrest, however prognostic performance was not good.

Imaging Findings of Children Stroke in Burkina Faso and Etiological Approach

Introduction: Stroke is defined as a sudden onset focal neurological deficit of presumed vascular origin. Although it is essentially adult and elderly condition, stroke can occur in children. Their diagnosis essentially radiological is based on two main imaging modalities namely Computed Tomography (CT) and/or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Our study aimed to study radiological features of stroke in children with an etiologic approach in three health facilities of Ouagadougou. Material and Method: We conducted a retrospective study with descriptive focus during 11-year period from January 1st, 2006 to September 1st, 2017 among children aged between 02 months and 16 years who underwent brain CT scan and/or MRI; in whom diagnosis of stroke had been established in radiology department of Yalgado Ouedraogo Teaching Hospital (CHU-YO), Schiphra Methodist Medical Center (CM Schipphra) and Saint Camille Hospital of Ouagadougou (HOSCO). Results: 40 cases of pediatric stroke were collected including 23 at HOSCO, 15 at CHU-YO and 03 at CM Schipphra. Mean age was 6.45 years, with extremes of 2 months and 192 months. Unilateral contralateral motor weakness was the most common clinical presentation (32.5%) followed by seizures (17.5%). Ischemic stroke dominated in 82.5% of cases. Sino-venous thrombosis was rare and suspected in only one case. Sylvian artery was mostly affected in ischemic stroke for 56.25% of patients. The main etiologic factors found were hematologic (67.50%) then infectious factors (25%). Sickle cell disease was always incriminated in hematologic factor. Homozygous SS patients were the most numerous (82%). Conclusion: Stroke diagnosis in children is based on etiologic investigation, biology with a major role of medical imaging. Sickle cell disease accounts a lot in occurrence of stroke in children in our context.

Relationship between ventricular characteristics on brain computed tomography and 6-month neurologic outcome in cardiac arrest survivors who underwent targeted temperature management

Aim of the studyBrain swelling after cardiac arrest may affect the ventricles. We aimed to investigate the prognostic performance of ventricular characteristics on brain computed tomography (CT) in cardiac arrest survivors who underwent targeted temperature management (TTM). MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included adult comatose cardiac arrest survivors who underwent brain CT scan within 24 h after resuscitation and underwent TTM from 2014 to 2016. The ventricular areas (lateral, third, and fourth ventricle), distances between the anterior horns of the lateral ventricle (LV) and the posterior horns of the LV, and maximal internal diameter of the skull were measured. Grey-to-white matter ratio (GWR), Evans’ index, and relative LV area were calculated. The primary outcome was a 6-month neurologic outcome. ResultsOf 258 patients, 176 (68.2%) had an unfavourable neurologic outcome. GWR, LV area, third ventricle area, distance between the anterior horns of the LV, distance between the posterior horns of the LV, Evans’ index, and relative LV area were different between neurologic outcome groups. Evans’ index (0.683; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.623–0.739) and relative LV area (0.670; 95% CI, 0.609–0.727) had higher value of area under the curve than the other ventricular characteristics and showed prognostic performance comparable with GWR (0.600; 95% CI, 0.538–0.661). All ventricular characteristics and GWR were not independently associated with neurologic outcome after adjusting for covariates. ConclusionVentricular characteristics on brain CT were associated with 6 months neurologic outcome in cardiac arrest survivors. Ventricular characteristics were objective measures that had comparable prognostic performance with GWR.

Clinical Symptoms of Minor Head Trauma and Abnormal Computed Tomography Scan

Background: Minor head trauma accounts for 70% to 90% of all head traumas. Previous studies stated that minor head traumas were associated with 7% 20% significant abnormal findings in brain computed tomography (CT)-scans. Objectives: The aim of this study was to reevaluate clinical criteria of taking brain CT scan in patients who suffered from minor head trauma. Patients and Methods: We enrolled 680 patients presented to an academic trauma hospital with minor head trauma in a prospective manner. All participants underwent brain CT scan if they met the inclusion criteria and the results of scans were compared with clinical examination finding. Results: Loss of consciousness (GCS drop or amnesia) was markedly associated with abnormal brain CT scan (P < 0.05). Interestingly, we found 7 patients with normal clinical examination but significant abnormal brain CT scan. Conclusions: According to the results of our study, we recommend that all patients with minor head trauma underwent brain CT scan in order not to miss any life-threatening head injuries.

A computed tomography-based spatial normalization for the analysis of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography of the brain.

ObjectiveWe developed a new computed tomography (CT)-based spatial normalization method and CT template to demonstrate its usefulness in spatial normalization of positron emission tomography (PET) images with [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET studies in healthy controls.Materials and MethodsSeventy healthy controls underwent brain CT scan (120 KeV, 180 mAs, and 3 mm of thickness) and [18F] FDG PET scans using a PET/CT scanner. T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images were acquired for all subjects. By averaging skull-stripped and spatially-normalized MR and CT images, we created skull-stripped MR and CT templates for spatial normalization. The skull-stripped MR and CT images were spatially normalized to each structural template. PET images were spatially normalized by applying spatial transformation parameters to normalize skull-stripped MR and CT images. A conventional perfusion PET template was used for PET-based spatial normalization. Regional standardized uptake values (SUV) measured by overlaying the template volume of interest (VOI) were compared to those measured with FreeSurfer-generated VOI (FSVOI).ResultsAll three spatial normalization methods underestimated regional SUV values by 0.3-20% compared to those measured with FSVOI. The CT-based method showed slightly greater underestimation bias. Regional SUV values derived from all three spatial normalization methods were correlated significantly (p < 0.0001) with those measured with FSVOI.ConclusionCT-based spatial normalization may be an alternative method for structure-based spatial normalization of [18F] FDG PET when MR imaging is unavailable. Therefore, it is useful for PET/CT studies with various radiotracers whose uptake is expected to be limited to specific brain regions or highly variable within study population.

Indications for brain computed tomography scan after minor head injury

Aims:Minor head injury (MHI) is a common injury seen in Emergency Departments (ED). Computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain is a good method of investigation to diagnose intracranial lesions, but there is a disagreement about indications in MHI patients. We surveyed the post-traumatic symptoms, signs or past historical matters that can be used for the indication of brain CT scan.Materials and Methods:All patients with MHI who were older than 2 years, had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≥13 and were referred to the ED, underwent brain CT scan. Data on age, headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness (LOC) or amnesia, post-traumatic seizure, physical evidence of trauma above the clavicles, alcohol intoxication, and anticoagulant usage were collected. The main outcome measure was the presence of lesions related to the trauma in brain CT scan. For categorical variables, Chi-square test was used.Results:Six hundred and forty-two patients were examined by brain CT scan after MHI, and 388 patients (60.4%) did not have any risk indicator. Twenty patients (3.1%) had abnormal brain CT scans. The logistic regression model showed that headache (P=0.006), LOC or amnesia (P=0.024) and alcohol (P=0.036) were associated with abnormal brain CT.Conclusions:We suggested that abnormal brain CT scan related to the trauma after MHI can be predicted by the presence of one or more of the following risk indicators: Headache, vomiting, LOC or amnesia, and alcohol intoxication. Thus, if any patient has these indicators following MHI, he must be considered as a high-risk MHI.