Brain, Neck & Spine

Cervical spine CT is best for showing the bones of the cervical spine.  We can see the junction of the cervical spine and skull.  We can see the lower part…

No, but you can see some findings that may suggest the diagnosis.  Appendicitis presents with nausea, vomiting, pain and lab abnormalities.  The appendix arises off the cecum in the right…

Brain edema on head CT means there is collection of fluid in the brain tissue which is abnormal.  Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and most severely coma and death.  Brain…

Usually not.  A head CT done without contrast given into a vein in most cases will not identify an aneurysm.  Rarely, a large aneurysm may be seen as a mass,…

Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to image the inside of the body.  The advantage is that the test uses no radiation.  Ultrasound is useful for diagnosis of many medical…

Hyperdensity is a descriptive term sometimes used in radiology reports.  This means that the abnormality is brighter than the surrounding brain.  Many abnormalities are hyperdense but one of the most…

Degenerative changes on X-ray is a non specific term denoting arthritic findings.  This is a common finding related to aging.  This can be seen throughout the spine and joints in…

Hypodensity on head CT means that the abnormal area in the brain is darker than the surrounding normal brain tissue.  This type of abnormal tissue can have a variety of…

A small hyperdense focus on head CT is a spot brighter than the surrounding brain.  I am talking about a tiny spot less than say 5 mm.   Bright spots…

Lumbar X-rays are commonly done for low back pain. Degenerative changes are one of the most common findings and becomes more advanced with age. Degenerative changes encompasses findings that involve…

Lumbar X-ray for low back pain is a commonly ordered test that offers a quick, relatively inexpensive look at the lumbar or lower spine vertebra. Lumbar X-rays only show bones…

Subdural hemorrhage is a bleed inside the head along the surface of the brain. The bleed is located between dura and arachnoid layers of the meninges or covering of the…