Method

Neuroradiology is the examination and treatment of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system with the help of imaging procedures such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) und Computed Tomography (CT). The visualization of vascular diseases, for example a narrowing of the carotid artery, can be performed by means of MR or CT angiography instead of an invasive intra-arterial angiography. Neuroradiology is a subfield of radiology, which requires an additional specialization.

The most frequent and important examination is the MRI of the central nervous system as well as of the spinal column and brain. In many cases, such as after a nerve root compression caused by a herniated disc, it is not necessary to use intravenous contrast agents.

Many common clinical problems can be clarified with the help of computed tomography. In addition to this, calcifications and bone structures can be presented in great detail. CT Angiography can be a reasonable alternative to an MR Angiography when an especially high resolution is required, for example a tear of the posterior cerebral artery (vertebral dissection). Furthermore, the CT helps to precisely place an injection needle near a painful nervous root (Periradicular Therapy) or to make a contrasted visualization of the spinal canal (CT-Myelography).

Integrated Imaging of the Nervous System

By this, we understand the use of imaging procedures to clarify illnesses and functional disorders of the nervous system. It is less about simply showing the organ (brain, spinal cord, nerve) than about the type of disorder – modern imaging procedures can make a crucial contribution to explaining this. The procedure can be used, for example, to investigate cerebrovascular illnesses such as an impending circulatory disorder in the brain (stroke), to assess the risk of carotid artery stenosis, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, memory disorders (dementia), illnesses of the white brain matter, tumour diseases and relapses following treatment, unclear neurological symptoms, and illnesses of peripheral nerves.
 

We use specific special procedures for this purpose:

• Blood vessel examinations (MR and CT angiographies)
• Measurements of blood flow to the brain (perfusion measurement)
• Plaque imaging (detailed picture of a narrowing of the carotid arteries)
• MR spectroscopy for the differentiation of changes in tissue
• Diffusion imaging for the recognition of brain tissue affected by circulatory disorders, cell-rich changes, and nerve pathways.
• MR Neurography