What is Neuroradiology?
Neuroradiology is a subspecialty of radiology that focuses on the diagnosis of injuries, diseases, and disorders of the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system. Neuroradiologists may also assist with minimally invasive treatment for brain or spinal cord injuries, diseases, or disorders.
Neuroradiologists are highly trained physicians who work closely with neurologists and neurosurgeons to provide and interpret imaging that provides accurate diagnosis and minimally invasive treatments of injuries, diseases, and disorders of the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system.
Neuroradiologists interpret x-rays, magnetic resonance images (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain, spine and spinal cord, face and neck, and peripheral nerves. They also perform angiographic studies of the brain and spine and interpret the findings.
What is Neuroradiology used for?
Neuroradiology is primarily used to diagnose brain or spinal cord injuries, diseases, or conditions, including:
- Blood vessel disorders in the brain or spinal cord, such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVM), and dural arteriovenous fistulae
- Brain injury, including anoxic injury or traumatic brain injury
- Brain tumors, both benign and cancerous
- Degenerative disorders (disorders that get worse over time) such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s chorea, and Alzheimer’s disease
- Functional disorders, such as headache, seizure disorder, dizziness, balance disorders, and neuralgia
- Infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis, polio, and brain abscesses
- Movement disorders, such as dyskinesia and essential tremor
- Neuromuscular disorders, such as Bell’s palsy, cervical spondylosis, peripheral neuropathy, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Stroke disorders such as ischemic strokes (caused by blood clots), hemorrhagic strokes (caused by bleeding in the brain), and transient ischemic attacks (TIA or mini-stroke)
Although neuroradiology is primarily a diagnostic service, neuroradiologists may also perform or assist with some minimally invasive treatments for neurological disorders, such as brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVM), and compression fractures of the spine.