Computed Tomography in Head Injuries, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1979

The introduction of computed tomography in the diagnosis of pathological intracranial conditions has had considerable significance in cases of cranio­ cerebral injury. The decisive diagnostic advantage lies in the possibility of demonstrating both gross pathological change directly as well as secondary changes in normal brain structures. Computed tomography has proved its considerable worth, especially in evaluation of patients with craniocerebral injury and its sequelae. The capabilities of CT were quickly recognized and use of the technique spread rapidly. It is likely that CT will be available within a few years in all hospitals and clinics treating patients with craniocerebral injury. We believe it appropriate to present a detailed report on our experience with CT in 1800 cases of craniocerebral injury treated in the neurosurgical departments in Miinchen-GroBhadern and Berlin-Charlottenburg over a period of five years. Both acute posttraumatic complications and late sequelae are discussed extensively. A large number of illustrations is provided in order to facilitate the reader's introduction to CT diagnosis. The great interest in our conjoint study originally published in the German language, induced us to translate this book and to update the clinical material. We wish to thank the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk, the Senat of Berlin, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat in Munich and the Freie Universitat of Berlin for the generous financial support which made this study possible.

I. Basic Principles of Computed Tomography.- A. Matrix and Resolution.- B. Numerical Print-Out and Display.- C. Window Level and Window Width.- D. Prodecure.- E. Evaluation of Computed Tomograms.- II. Head Injuries in the CT Scan.- A. Extracerebral Injury.- 1. Epidural Hematoma.- a) Direct Visualization of the Hematoma With CT.- b) Sequelae of the Space-Occupying Lesion in the CT Scan.- 2. Acute Subdural Hematoma.- a) Direct Visualization of the Hematoma in the CT Scan.- b) Sequelae of Acute Subdural Hematomas in CT Scan.- 3. Subdural Hygroma.- 4. Chronic Subdural Hematoma.- a) Demonstration of Chronic Subdural Hematomas in the CT Scan.- b) Visualization of Hematoma Membranes in the CT Scan.- c) Indirect Signs of Chronic Subdural Hematoma in the CT Scan.- d) Bilateral Chronic Subdural Hematoma.- e) Problems in Differential Diagnosis.- f) CT Follow-Up Studies After Surgical Evacuation.- B. Traumatic Brain Lesions.- 1. Cerebral Contusion.- a) Brain Contusion Type I.- b) Brain Contusion Type II.- c) Brain Contusion Type III.- d) Follow-Up Studies.- 2. Traumatic Subarachnoid and Ventricular Hemorrhage.- 3. Diffuse Post-Traumatic Brain Swelling.- 4. Correlation of Clinical and CT Findings in Closed Head Injuries.- 5. Conclusions.- C. Multiple Lesions.- D. Open Craniocerebral Injuries.- 1. Depressed Fractures.- 2. Injuries to Frontal Base of the Skull.- 3. High-Velocity Missile Injuries.- E. Rare Complications of Craniocerebral Injuries.- F. Late Sequelae of Craniocerebral Injury.- G. Comparison of Neurological, Psychiatric and Electroencephalographic Findings With the CT Scan.- III. The Role of Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of Craniocerebral Injury.- References.