Intracranial infections: investigation by computerized axial tomography

The value of computerized axial tomography (CAT) in the management of intracranial infections is described and the findings compared with those of other conventional neuroradiological investigations. The most important contribution is in the diagnosis and localization of cerebral abscess. CAT provides not only information of the nature of the lesion but also the number of loculi and the presence of multiple lesions; it is the investigation of choice for follow-up of patients with cerebral abscess treated either by operation or conservatively. CAT is invaluable in the investigation of other infectious conditions affecting the intracranial structures, especially when patients present with a focal neurological deficit and it is vital to exclude an abscess.