The major clinical syndromes of central nervous system infections include the following:
A. Clinical manifestations The clinical course of brain abscess ranges from indolent to fulminant. Most clinical manifestations are not due to the systemic signs of infection, but rather to the size and site of the abscess. Headache is the most common presenting symptom. Other symptoms and signs include changes in mental status, focal neurological deficits,…
This is a non-contrast cranial CT from a patient who sustained a fall injury, landing on the back of the head. The CT here shows the cranium utilizing the “bone window”. One can appreciate that the details of the skull bone is shown in greater detail. In contrast, the contents within the skull as well…
a) Various Densities in Axial Brain CT The normal anatomy of brain is relatively easier to understand with CT than MRI, comparing to radiograph, it can better delineate different soft tissue density – Structures appearing “white” in an unenhanced CT brain can only be the following high density structures : 1. Bone e.g. cranium ( calcium-containing ) 2. Blood in acute bleeding ( later…
By palpating onto the iliac crest and spinal processes of the back, the site of needle puncture for lumbar puncture (LP) is identified. As the spinal cord ends at the level of L2 in adults, the spinal needle can be inserted safely between the L3/4 or L4/5 levels. The highest point of the iliac crest…
Intracranial calcifications are frequently seen in non-contrast CT scans. These are often due to age-related physiological changes of the brain but can occasionally be mistaken as an intra-cerebral hemorrhage. The most common sites of intracranial calcifications include the basal ganglia (often bilateral, Figure 1), pineal gland (Figure 1), choroid plexus (often bilateral, Figure 1), dentate…
Subtitles in English for this video can be displayed by clicking on (first button on the bottom right hand corner of the video). General Inspection During the general inspection of the cranial nerves, we should look for whether the patient has any ptosis, abnormal eye movements and facial asymmetry. We should also inspect for whether there are any neuro-cutaneous features (for example in patients…