CT head (an approach)

The approach taken to interpreting a CT scan of the head is no doubt different depending on the circumstances and the reading clinician, however, most radiologists will go through the same steps. What follows is merely a suggested approach to interpreting a CT of the head. 

An important aspect of this approach is the use of windowing to maximise pickup rate. With PACS, windowing the scan to optimize detection of certain pathology is simple and should be routine. For example, reviewing every scan using not only brain-window but also bone-windows, subdural windows and stroke windows is strongly recommended and will result in reduced miss rate.

Scrolling direction

People have surprisingly strong opinions on this. TheIt is important part is, obviously, that you need to look at all the images and especially ensure that you do not miss the onesensuring careful review of slices at the very top or bottom. It has been argued by many that starting at the top can be helpful in that it gives you the first few images to decide which side has mass-effect and then work your way down to the "busy" slides at the bottom.

The reality is that with PACS you are likely to scroll up and down a number of times and: a quick scroll through the whole volume will give you a sense of any obvious major pathology.

Additionally, most institutions will no just have axial images but also routinely generate sagittal and coronal images as increasing, increasingly, scans have been obtained volumetrically (see CT head technique). OrAlternatively, you may prefer to review the whole volume in a multiplanar viewer allowing you to changeadjustment of the plane according to the structure you are looking atunder review.

Review pattern

What follows is merely a suggestion, but one that will ensure that you cover everything. Performing the same search patterns every time until it is a habit is a powerful tool for anyone looking at imaging and reduces the chances of forgetting to look at part of the scan. This is particularly important when interrupted mid-way through review. 

Brain matter

• window: W:80 L:40

Start at the vertex. Look at the brain matter and gyral pattern. Are there any masses, abnormal attenuation or mass effect?

Subarachnoid space and ventricles

Without changing the window setting review the basal cisterns and sulci. Are they visible and commensurate with the patient's age and ventricular size? Do they extend all the way to the bone? If not is there a subacute (isodense) subdural haemorrhage? Is there any subarachnoid blood? Look in the dependent areas for any small volume subarachnoid haemorrhage particularly in the interpeduncular fossa or occipital horns of the lateral ventricles. Next look at the vessels. Is there a hyperdense MCA or basilar tip hyperdensity suggesting thromboembolism? 

Grey-white differentiation

• window: W:8 L:32 or W:40 L:40

Now search for subtle cortical hypoattenuation by assessing grey-white differentiation. The cortical grey matter should be readily differentiated from the white matter. The deep grey matter should be distinct from the white matter also. Pay particular attention to the insular cortex and basal ganglia as they are lost early in middle cerebral artery infarction.

Blood/subdural

• window: W:130-300 L:50-100

Next, concentrate specifically on reviewing for small collections of subdural or extradural blood that may have blended with the skull on routine windowing. Coronal reformats if available are particularly useful for this. Look for tiny subdural haemorrhage around the tentorium and circumferentially as thin hyperdense crescents.

Soft tissues

• window: W:350–400 L:20–60

Don't forget that a CT of the head does not just look at the brain. Soften the window to something suitable for soft tissues and especially in the anterior face including the globe, sinuses, palate and pharynx. Check the scalp for focal lesions of haematomas. 

Bony review

• window: W:2800 L:600

Now, and lastly, review the bones. This should always be performed, even when a bony algorithm hasn't been provided or where slice thickness is suboptimal. Note that if there is a history of trauma, then dedicated thin bony images are required to detect undisplaced fractures. 

Review the skull vault for any fractures or destructive lesions. Spend some time checking the base of the skull as the increased complexity of this region can make identification of abnormalities more difficult. Don't forget to ensure that both TMJs are normally aligned. 

Review the paranasal sinuses for evidence of fluid that may represent acute sinusitis or, in the correct setting, fractures. 

Review areas

Review areas are different for everybody and you will develop your own list over time, usually as the result of misses, but some common review areas for a CT head include:

• tentorium
• orbit and globe
• retropharyngeal space
• foramen magnum

Reporting

Something that is worth remembering is that just because you looked at it doesn't mean you have to include it in the report. Exactly what your standard normal CT head ends up being will be dependent not only on your training and personality but also on your referrers. See CT head standard report.