title: Computed tomography of the brain: a guide to understanding and interpreting normal and abnormal images in the critically ill patient.
abstract: The computed tomography (CT) diagnosis of the neurologically impaired patient, both initially and as it evolves over time, is a critical factor in determining treatment and prognosis. As an integral part of the management team, it is vital that the critical care nurse have a firm understanding of the various diagnoses on an anatomic level. This article attempts to provide the fundamentals for understanding the technology and uses of CT imaging as well as performing a basic interpretation of normal and abnormal CT images in a variety of disease states.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Chesnut
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*