Structural Imaging Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are imaging modalities indispensable for the workup of many neurological and neurosurgical disorders. They provide a view of the structure of the brain, and for this reason they are often referred to as structural imaging. However, specific CT and MRI modalities, that provide chemical and functional informations or visualize brain vessels, have discussed in other chapters. Rather than listing brain and spine findings on CT and MRI with their differential diagnosis, this chapter follows the traditional approach of describing the imaging findings caused by various brain or spine diseases. It concludes with a section indicating which imaging approach is helpful for the study of the most common disorders of the brain or spine.