The basics
Refresh your memory with an anatomy primer on the brain and skull. You’ll also learn how to manipulate CT imaging controls to improve views of a suspected pathology.
- The basics intro
- Describing the basic anatomy of the brain
- Describing the basic anatomy of the skull
- Recognizing the effect of window and level on CT images
- The basics quiz
Trauma imaging
Here, you’ll learn to recognize and localize hemorrhages on CT as well as identify the cause. You’ll also cover common CT interpretation errors made in the context of trauma.
- Trauma imaging intro
- Recognizing extra-axial hemorrhage
- Defining shear injury
- Identifying intra-axial hemorrhages
- Discussing subarachnoid hemorrhage in trauma patients
- Recognizing common pitfalls in CT interpretation
- Trauma imaging quiz
Stroke imaging
Recognize an infarct on CT and know which findings may urgently alter patient management, as well as how to differentiate hemorrhage from contrast staining after thrombolysis.
- Stroke imaging intro
- Identifying early CT findings of infarctions
- Describing the evolution of infarcts
- Explaining the effects of thrombolysis
- Demonstrating the role of CT angiography and perfusion CT in the acute stroke patient
- Stroke imaging quiz
Nontraumatic hemorrhage
Learn where and how to look for subarachnoid hemorrhages and aneurysms on CT, and how to form a reasonable differential for the patient with nontraumatic brain hemorrhage.
- Nontraumatic hemorrhage intro
- Recognizing subarachnoid hemorrhage on CT
- Identifying common locations for aneurysms
- Describing CT features of cavernomas and arteriovenous malformations
- Diagnosing parenchymal hemorrhage
- Describing isolated intraventricular hemorrhage
- Nontraumatic hemorrhage quiz
Brain tumor imaging
Here, you’ll learn how to recognize extra-axial tumors as well as the three most common axial tumors. You’ll also cover typical CT findings for primary and metastatic brain tumors.
- Brain tumor imaging intro
- Recognizing intra- versus extra-axial tumors on CT
- Distinguishing common adult extra-axial tumors
- Recognizing intra-axial tumors
- Brain tumor imaging quiz
Seizures and epilepsy
Here, you’ll learn how to approach CT with patients experiencing their first seizure and know when it is appropriate to use MRI and contrast in the evaluation of such patients.
- Seizures and epilepsy intro
- Describing CT findings in patients with seizures
- Explaining the role of CT and MRI in patients with seizures
- Seizures and epilepsy quiz
Metabolic disorders, infections, and demyelination
Learn how to recognize brain infections, MS, and other demyelinating diseases on CT. You’ll also learn how to identify metabolic disorders, poisoning, or hypoxia.
- Metabolic disorders, infections, and demyelination intro
- Describing abnormalities in the basal ganglia
- Identifying brain abscess and encephalitis
- Describing the CT findings of demyelination
- Metabolic disorders, infections, and demyelination quiz
Skull abnormalities
In this chapter, you’ll cover typical CT findings for head fractures, arrested pneumatization, fibrous dysplasia, and hemangiomas of bone that may be mistaken for neoplasm.
- Skull abnormalities intro
- Describing the typical appearance of skull fractures
- Identifying benign disease and malignant bone lesions of the skull
- Skull abnormalities quiz
- Brain CT Essentials outro
Bonus chapter (non-accredited)—Secrets of CT Physics
In this bonus content, you will learn to identify some common artifacts that appear on CT images so that you do not mistake them for pathology.
- Beam-hardening artifacts: don't trust everything you see on CT
- How volume averaging on brain CT can kill your patients
- Through thick and thin: optimizing CT slice thickness