Magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system

Clinical MRI of the CNS has evolved rapidly. The image quality has now surpassed CT in depicting anatomical detail. It is more sensitive than any other imaging modality, including CT, in the detection of disease. The specificity of MR is at least equivalent to CT, and as the learning curve improves and a broader base of information is acquired as to the relative utility of different imaging parameters and the applications of T1 and T2 measurements, it is hoped that specificity will improve as well. There is little question that in the cooperative patient MR will displace CT scanning as the primary screening modality in the patient with CNS disease in whom an imaging technique is appropriate.