Approach to Neuroimaging

Neurologic emergencies often require timely access to neuroimaging and accurate diagnosis may be highly dependent on which imaging modality is chosen. It is important for the emergency clinician to have a foundational understanding of the appropriate indications of various neuroimaging modalities to avoid false reassurance and misdiagnosis. The following article is intended to provide an overview of the 2 most common neuroimaging modalities used in the emergency department, computed tomography and MRI, their respective strengths and weaknesses, as well as pearls and pitfalls to ensure accurate, efficient, and appropriate use.