Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Elizabeth Thornell
Mrs. DeBock
English IV Honors
March 7, 2017
Neuroradiology is the use of x-rays to diagnose brain and nervous system disorders.
Typically, a person who is at risk or experiencing any neurological discomfort will be referred to
a neuroradiologist. The neuroradiologist uses radiation technology to diagnose the patient and
determine which treatment option would be most effective. As well as this, neuroradiologists
strive to advance the field of neurology in order to discover effective treatment and potentially
cure many common neurological disorders. Though relatively unheard of, the field of
throughout the world. Because of the rise in the amount of people suffering from brain disorders,
the job outlook for neuroradiological specialists is expected to rapidly increase in the next few
years. Therefore, those aspiring to become a neuroradiologist must be informed and prepared to
neuroradiologist include using MRI and CT scanners, diagnosing and treating brain
abnormalities, and studying illnesses in relation to the brain and nervous system.
Neuroradiologists use many different types of technology during the prediagnostic phase
magnetoencephalography (MEG), and computed tomography (CT). MRI scanners use radio
waves to produce images of body structures such as the brain. The patient is laid on a moveable
bed and inserted through a tube with a giant magnet surrounding it, thus creating the images. As
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stated by Herdeen, Desmond and Phal, MRI scans are advantageous because of its ability to
accurately map functionally active brain regions in a noninvasive way (page 320). MEG
scanners identify small magnetic brain waves and determine the source of different brain activity.
It is noninvasive, able to detect brain activity directly, and correlates brain function with the
unique anatomy of the patient (Mason, Ebersole, Fujiwara, Lowe and Bowyer 193). Finally, CT
scanners use x-rays to make detailed maps of structures within the body. Routine CT scans are
necessary during preoperative procedures in order to monitor a patient and their risk factor
should they require any kind of invasive treatment. These types of scans are predominantly
required when a patient has either experienced new symptoms or has endured brain and facial
trauma. As stated by Thomas and Varnamkhasti, CT is beneficial through the fact that it is fast
and accurate and can detect acute haemorrhages of the brain; it is also readily available in most
trauma centers and is the first choice of imaging technology (page 317). Overall, a
neuroradiologist acts both as a technician and diagnoses any nervous system disorder and
After taking scans of the brain using the aforementioned technology, the neuroradiologist
will then diagnose the patient. This is achieved by evaluating the types of trauma the patient
sustained as well as searching for common signs that would reveal a disorder or disease. If a
tumor is prevalent, the neuroradiologist must then determine if the tumor is primary or secondary
as well as benign or malignant. Primary tumors originate in the brain and are more difficult to
determine the source of while secondary tumors are the result of cancerous cells from another
part of the body spreading to the brain (Benzil 6). However, if the patient does not have a tumor,
they could potentially be suffering from another, harder to detect issue. Signs that a
neuroradiologist will look for when examining the results of the scan include developmental
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venous anomalies (DVA), optic nerve tram-track, and dural tail. On page 135, Chavhan and
Shroff discuss these as well as 17 other signs that a neuroradiologist typically searches for and
the appearance of these signs. DVAs appear on a brain scan as multiple small veins that branch
off, appearing to look like a medusa head. The optic nerve tram-track sign is shown through a
thickening of the optic nerve and a mass forming around it. Finally, the dural tail branches from a
mass on the brain and connects to other parts, usually following along the side of the skull. These
signs, when evaluated by the neuroradiologist, will allow them to diagnose diseases and
condition can include medication, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. If the condition of the
patients brain and nervous system does not include any tumors or severe issues, such as
headaches or vision problems, medication may be prescribed to the patient. However, if the
patient has a cancerous tumor, it will be removed during surgery and the patient will undergo
radiation and chemotherapy afterwards. Nevertheless, advancements are being made to use less
invasive technology that would not be as stressful or dramatic for the patient. These technologies
include Optune and gamma knife techniques. According to Dr. Benzil, the gamma knife
technique is minimally invasive and does not leave a scar or cause the patient to lose any of their
hair (page 6). In addition, recent advancements have yielded a technology called Optune. Optune
is a device that sits on top of the patients head and delivers electromagnetic signals to the brain
and stop the growth of malignant tumors. Overall, there are many treatment options that a
neuroradiologist can offer to a patient in order to ensure recovery and prevention of any further
Although the main purpose of a neuroradiologist is to diagnose and treat ailments of the
nervous system, they also play a major role in advancing the field of neuroscience. The
diseases throughout the world. For instance, the prevalence of strokes in people under the age of
30 has increased by over 6% worldwide since 1990 (Purcarea 117). These strokes also leave one
third of all sufferers with disabilities following the incident. Due to this high prevalence in
strokes and other brain related trauma, many neuroradiologists have begun to practice
components associated with strokes; clinical results show that this form of treatment yields
beneficial results. This gives those who have suffered from a stroke the chance to regain their
previous brain function and overcome the obstacles that arose from the circumstance. In order to
have the ability to perform these tasks, however, a student must be dedicated to completing the
degree program, a neuroradiologist requires 1 year of internship, 4 years of residency, and 1 year
their educational requirements and helping patients recover whilst advancing the field of
A neuroradiologist diagnoses and treats brain trauma and tumors by using MRI and CT
scanners and works to study illnesses relating to the brain and nervous system in order to benefit
the medical branch of neuroscience. When a person is experiencing any new symptoms or has
undergone brain or facial trauma, a neuroradiologist will use imaging technology to diagnose and
assess the issues. They then determine which treatment options will be most effective in aiding
the patient. In addition, a neuroradiologist studies each case individually and works to advance
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the medical branch of neurology by doing anything from refining existing methods of treatment
to discovering cures for different disorders. Due to the increase in the prevalence of nervous
system disorders and issues, the demand for neuroradiologists has increased and will continue to
do so in the upcoming years. Though the road to becoming a neuroradiologist is long and
requires extreme dedication, the educational and personal experiences are worth the effort.
Therefore, neuroradiology, though obscure and difficult, is the key to aiding millions of people
Works Cited
Chavhan, Govind B., and Manohar M. Shroff. "Twenty Classic Signs in Neuroradiology: A
Pictorial Essay." Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 19.2 (2009): 135-45.
Heerden, Jolandi, Patricia M. Desmond, and Pramit M. Phal. "Functional MRI in Clinical
Practice." Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology 58.3 (2014): 320-26.
Mason, Karen M., Susan M. Ebersole, Hisako Fujiwara, James P. Lowe, and Susan M. Bowyer.
Purcarea, Victor. "A Strategic Vision in Neurology." Journal of Medicine & Life 8.2 (2015): n.
Thomas, Allan, and Mohammed Varnamkhasti. "Brain and Facial Trauma: A Neuroradiology