Interpretation of Emergency Head CT: A Practical Handbook

125 Pages·2008·7.08 MB·English

by  Erskine J. Holmes

This page intentionally left blank
Interpretation of Emergency Head CT
A Practical Handbook

Interpretation of
Emergency Head CT
A Practical Handbook
Erskine J. Holmes, MRCS
ConsultantinEmergencyMedicine
WexhamParkHospital,Slough
Anna C. Forest-Hay, MA,FRCS(A&E)Edin,FCEM
ConsultantinPaediatricandAdultEmergencyMedicine
WexhamParkHospital,Slough
Rakesh R. Misra, BSc(Hons),FRCS(Eng),FRCR
ConsultantRadiologist,WycombeHospital
BuckinghamshireHospitalsNHSTrust
Editor
R.R.Misra
CAMBRIDGEUNIVERSITYPRESS
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo
Cambridge University Press
The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB28RU, UK
Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521682428
© E. J. Holmes, A. C. Forrest-Hay, R. R. Misra 2008
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of
relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place
without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published in print format 2008
ISBN-13 978-0-511-42299-7 eBook (EBL)
ISBN-13 978-0-521-68242-8 paperback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of urls
for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not
guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Every effort has been made in preparing this publication to provide accurate and up-todate
information which is in accord with accepted standards and practice at the time of
publication. Although case histories are drawn from actual cases, every effort has been
made to disguise the identities of the individuals involved. Nevertheless, the authors,
editors and publishers can make no warranties that the information contained herein is
totally free from error, not least because clinical standards are constantly changing through
research and regulation. The authors, editors and publishers therefore disclaim all liability
for direct or consequential damages resulting from the use of material contained in this
publication. Readers are strongly advised to pay careful attention to information provided
by the manufacturer of any drugs or equipment that they plan to use.
Dedicated to my wife Jill for her support, help and love
over the years. E.J.H.
I would like to dedicate this book to my father, Iain, for
being my inspiration and mentor. A.F-H.
Dedicated to my beautiful wife, Rachel, and children,
Rohan, Ela and Krishan, for allowing me the time to write
this book. R.R.M.

CONTENTS
Acknowledgements pageix
Preface xi
Abbreviations xii
Introduction xiii
Section1 1
FundamentalsofCTimaging 3
History 3
Technicaldetails 4
Windowingandgreyscale 6
Tissuecharacteristics 6
Imageartefacts 8
Importantanatomicalconsiderations 10
Reviewofnormalanatomy 10
Reviewofvascularterritories 22
Reviewofvascularanatomy 33
Section2 35
ReviewingaCTscan 36
Acutestroke 38
Ischaemicstroke 38
Haemorrhagicstroke 45
Subduralhaematoma(SDH) 50
Extraduralhaematoma 54
Subarachnoidhaemorrhage 58
Cerebralvenoussinusthrombosis 62
Contusions 64
Skullfractures 68
Meningitis 71
Raisedintracranialpressure 74
vii
C Hydrocephalus 77
o
n Abscesses 80
t
e
nt Arteriovenousmalformation 83
s
Solitarylesions 86
Multiplelesions 89
Self-assessmentsection 92
SelfAssessment–Answers 95
Appendices 101
Differentialdiagnosisofintracerebrallesions 103
CTguidelinesforheadtrauma 105
Proposedalgorithmfortheemergencymanagementofacutestroke 106
Informationrequiredpriortoneurosurgicalreferral 108
viii