Neuroradiology

Neuroradiology is a specialised field of medical imaging. It enables highly precise examination of the brain, spinal cord and their blood supply for the detection of neurological diseases.

Neuroradiology uses various technologies such as MRI and CT for safe, gentle and accurate diagnosis of vascular diseases of the nervous system, trauma, tumours, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory and demyelinating diseases, and diseases of the spine and peripheral nerves.

Procedure

Diagnosis and treatment

Diseases diagnosed

Pain management

Contact a clinic near you

Procedure

Diagnosis and treatment

Diseases diagnosed

Pain management

Contact a clinic near you

Quick facts

Area of application: Medical imaging procedure for examining the brain and spinal cord and their blood supply.
Examination procedures: CT scans, MRI, cerebral angiography and supplementary examinations
Diagnosed conditions: vascular diseases, trauma, tumours, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory and demyelinating diseases, diseases of the spine and peripheral nerves.
Pain treatment: spinal infiltration, nerve block

What is neuroradiology?

Neuroradiology is a specialised branch of medical imaging that allows the brain, spinal cord and their blood vessels to be examined in great detail.

Procedure of a neuroradiological examination

1. Before the examination: referral and preparation

The test is prescribed by your doctor based on your symptoms:

CT scan
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the brain
Angiography

2. Examination procedure depending on the techniques used

a) Brain scan (CT scan)

A brain scan is a quick technique that uses X-rays to obtain detailed images of the brain. The examination usually takes a few minutes and is very useful in emergencies, for patients who are agitated or have contraindications to MRI. It may require an injection of an iodinated contrast agent to better visualise vascular structures and certain abnormalities.

b) Magnetic resonance imaging (brain MRI)

MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to obtain high-resolution images of the brain and spinal cord. This is a longer examination (20 to 45 minutes) that includes different imaging sequences. In most cases, a gadolinium-based contrast agent is injected to improve the visualization of lesions.

c) Cerebral angiography

Cerebral angiography is used to examine the blood vessels in the brain. It can be performed in three ways:

CT angiography: use of a CT scanner with injection of an iodinated contrast agent
MRI angiography: imaging of the pre-cerebral vessels by MRI, usually with injection of a contrast agent
Conventional angiography: an invasive technique requiring the insertion of a catheter into an artery to inject a contrast agent directly and visualise the vessels with great precision.

d) Additional neuroradiology tests

Other more specialised tests may be performed as needed:

Lumbar puncture (LP) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes: a test that involves using a needle to take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis or to relieve symptoms in cases of normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Myelo-CT: injection of contrast medium into the thecal sac to analyse the spinal canal and nerve roots, most often performed when MRI is contraindicated.
PET scan: used to analyse the metabolic activity of the brain, particularly to detect certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Cervical artery Doppler ultrasound: evaluates the pre-cerebral vessels.

Diagnosis and treatment

Neuroradiology is based on a multidisciplinary approach, working in collaboration with neurology, neurosurgery, ENT and other specialities. Using advanced imaging techniques, it enables the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system by correlating radiological findings with the patient's clinical presentation.

These techniques enable the accurate diagnosis of strokes, brain tumours, neurodegenerative diseases, vascular and congenital malformations, and spinal or peripheral disorders responsible for radiculopathies.

Diseases diagnosed by neuroradiology

Vascular disorders of the nervous system

Vascular disorders affect blood flow in the brain and can lead to serious complications. These disorders include:

Stroke
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
Brain aneurysms
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)

Trauma

Head and spinal injuries can have serious neurological consequences:

Head injuries
Concussions
Spinal cord injuries

Tumours of the nervous system

Imaging techniques enable the early detection of brain and spinal cord tumours:

Gliomas
Meningiomas
Neurinomas
Brain metastases

Neurodegenerative diseases

These diseases progressively affect nerve cells and impair cognitive and motor functions:

Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
Parkinson's disease and related syndromes
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Huntington's disease

Inflammatory and demyelinating diseases

Certain diseases attack the myelin sheath that protects neurons:

Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
Infections of the nervous system

Spinal and peripheral nerve disorders

Neuroradiology can also be used to diagnose conditions affecting the spine and nerves.

Disc herniation
Lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis
Peripheral neuropathies

Pain management

Spinal injections: posterior joints (facets), foraminal and epidural.
Nerve block: Arnold's nerve; pudendal neuralgia, paresthetic meralgia.

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Thanks to high-performance imaging tools and the expertise of radiologists, an accurate diagnosis can be made.

Complex cases are discussed in conferences, where different specialists come together to make a diagnosis, guide care and adjust treatments.

Neuroradiology complements several disciplines:

Neurosurgery: preoperative imaging
Neurology: diagnosis of complex diseases
Psychiatry: analysis of brain abnormalities
Orthopaedics and internal medicine: study of spinal disorders
ENT, maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology: advanced radiological diagnostics

Top searches

Neuroradiology

Quick facts

What is neuroradiology?

Procedure of a neuroradiological examination

1. Before the examination: referral and preparation

2. Examination procedure depending on the techniques used

a) Brain scan (CT scan)

b) Magnetic resonance imaging (brain MRI)

c) Cerebral angiography

d) Additional neuroradiology tests

Diagnosis and treatment

Diseases diagnosed by neuroradiology

Vascular disorders of the nervous system

Trauma

Tumours of the nervous system

Neurodegenerative diseases

Inflammatory and demyelinating diseases

Spinal and peripheral nerve disorders

Pain management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Neuroradiology complements several disciplines:

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