ROLE OF CT SCAN IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BRAIN INFECTIONS

Authors

  • Sabina Imran
  • Muhammad Idrees

Abstract

Background: Brain infections are quite common in low socioeconomic class due to poor nutrition and over populated living conditions. The outcome is usually grave unless promptly diagnosed and properly treated. This study was designed to evaluate the role of CT Scan in the early and correct diagnosis of brain infection. Methods: CT Scan brain both pre and post I/V contrast was performed in patients presenting with high grade fever and headache / neurological symptoms as well as ear and sinus problems. Results: 250 consecutive patients with the above mentioned complaints underwent CT Scan brain. 114 patents had positive scans. This comes to about 45.6%. The remaining 136 patients with normal scans included uncomplicated meningitis cases as well as patients with normal cerebro spinal fluid/CSF laboratory reports. Conclusion: The study showed that CT Scan is a useful investigation in the definitive/ final diagnosis of brain infection.Key Words: Brain abscess, Meningitis, Tuberculoma, Encephalitis, Subdural empyema Computerized tomography.

References

Roienbaum ML. Decreased mortality from brain abscesses since the advent of CT. J Neuro Surg 1978;49:659-668.

Moseley JF. The role of CAT in diagnosis and management of intracranial infections In: Computed axial tomography Berlin: Springer 1977.

Claveria LE, Duboulay GH, Moseley JF. Intra cranial infections: Investigation by CAT. Neuroradiology 1976; 12:59-71.

Stevens EA. CT brain scanning in intraparenchymal pyogenic abscesses. AJR 1978; 130:111-114.

Davis JM. CT of herpes simplex encephalitis with clinicopathological correlation. Radiology 1978;129:409-417.

Leo JS. CT in herpes simplex encephalitis. Surg Neurol 1978;10:313-317.

Hurst DL, Mehtu S. Acute cerebellar swelling in varicella encephalitis. Pediatr Neurol 1988; 4:122-123.

Carter BL, Bankof MS, Fisk JD. CT detection of sinusitis responsible for intracranial and extra cranial infections. Radiology 1983;147:739-742.

Weisberg L. Subdural empyema clinical and computed tomograph relations. Arch Neurol 1986;43:497-500.

Weinman D, Samarashinghe HHG. Subdural empyema. Aust NZJ Surg 1972;41:324-328.

Anderson JM, Macmillan JJ. Intracranial tuberculoma. An increasing problem in Britain. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1975;38:194-201.

Mayers MM, Kaufman DF, Miller MM. Recent cases of Intracranial tuberculomas. Neurology 1978;28:256-260.

Abbassioun K. CT in hydatid cyst of the brain. J Neurosurg 1978;49:408-411.

Most read articles by the same author(s)