Introduction

During the past two decades neuroradiology has developed enormously. This development began in 1972 when the Englishman Godfrey Hounsfield constructed the first scanner for clinical computed tomography (CT). CT influenced and quickly changed the course of neuroradiological investigation. With the advent of other computerised examination techniques, nuclear medicine techniques and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neuroradiological diagnosis underwent further rapid change. The sensitivity and specificity of imaging modalities and their ability to localise disease have all improved markedly. These developments have in turn led to improved therapeutic choice and monitoring capability. Apart from these diagnostic developments, methods of treatment using percutaneous catheter techniques have been introduced. This type of treatment, interventional neuroradiology, is expanding rapidly and in many areas is replacing surgical treatment.

Modern neuroradiological diagnosis of disorders of the brain is dominated by CT and MRI. In addition, nuclear medicine techniques are developing rapidly. The coming of these methods has rendered pneumoencephalography redundant. However, there is still a place for angiography, but the indications for it have changed and have also decreased markedly. Plain x-ray examination of the skull is performed less often than previously and the indications for it, apart from trauma, are much reduced.

Kjell Bergstrom and Giuseppe Scotti