Computerized tomography of the brain in chronic alcoholism: a Survey and follow-up study

One hundred male alcoholics from an inpatient treatment unit were examined by computerized axial tomography. All were without clinically overt signs of brain damage. Fifty age-matched normal volunteers were used for comparison. Radiological indices differed markedly between the two groups, reflecting a high incidence of cortical shrinkage and ventricular dilatation among the alcoholics. Clinicoradiological correlations are discussed and the results of follow-up with rescanning are reported. Abstinence appeared to be strongly related to slow partial resolution of the CT scan changes.