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Role of MRI or CT Scan in
Sports Head Injury
by Nader Khandanpour - Consultant Neuroradiologist
A recent research found that sports and related activities contribute to 21% of all traumatic brain injuries
sustained by adults in the USA. One way to ensure
quick patient recovery is through fast and accurate diagnosis so that appropriate treatment can be
provided.
Role of MRI in Headache Evaluation
Headaches are one of the most common healthcare
problems and are one of the leading causes for outpatient visits. WHO estimates that three quarters of
adults aged 18 – 65 years suffer from headache each
year and about 30% reportedly have a migraine
episode.
When it comes to head injuries sustained due to sporting activities, there are advanced technologies that
doctors can rely upon – CT and MRI. CT uses radiation to generate cross sectional images while MRI uses
radio waves and a magnetic field to provide detailed
images.
While there are multiple treatment options for
headaches, the biggest pain point for doctors is the diagnosis. Doctors often use patient’s medical history
and symptoms to diagnose a headache; however, now
more than ever, they are utilizing advanced tech like
MRI in headache evaluation when they professionally
think it might help.
The first line of defence in such a case is the CT scan.
A CT scan is the immediate option at hand to determine whether there has been any bleeding in the skull
or brain. It can also help doctors to rule out a fracture
in the skull or a serious brain injury.
Unlike a CT scan, MRI does not use radiation. MRI
technology has been built to use radio waves along
with a strong magnetic field to provide clear, detailed
images.
An MRI scan on the other hand is the next step. It is
a much more detailed evaluation of the brain. It evaluates the brain tissue and nerve cells. A doctor will
order an MRI when they aim to look for bruising, injury or disruption in the brain tissue and nerve cells.
It may evaluate the cerebral blood flow and volume;
and even show the location of the cerebral oedema.
When other tests and diagnostics are not able to
provide a concrete answer, doctors rely heavily on an
MRI scan because it is able to generate a relatively detailed image of the brain. It is able to show areas that
cannot be seen with any other imaging technology. It
allows doctors to look at the very structure of the brain
and identify or rule out certain but not all causes of
headaches such as tumours, infections, bleeds or clots.
It can reliably highlight the irregular areas in the
brain. This enables doctors to gain more evidence to
reach a diagnosis and may help them provide treatment accordingly.
Usually a CT scan will be done first when a patient is
brought in with a head injury; and, if it is not able to
provide enough diagnostic evidence then an MRI will
be ordered.
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