Diagnostic imaging of cerebrovascular injury

Each year, more than 1.4 million people suffer traumatic brain injury and about 700 000 strokes occur. Consequently, imaging for cerebrovascular injury is an important part of the imaging specialist's job. Computed tomography is accepted widely as the gold standard for imaging intracerebral hemorrhage; however, magnetic resonance imaging can be useful in defining the extent of injury and long-term evaluation of blood flow, water movement and chemical abnormalities that are useful in developing long-term treatment planning. In addition, this Directed Reading uses images of gross specimens to illustrate cerebrovascular injury. This article is a Directed Reading. Your access to Directed Reading quizzes for continuing education credit is determined by your area of interest. For access to other quizzes, go to www.asrt.org/store.