Traumatic Brain Injury: Radiological Findings and Clinical Outcome

Purpose of the Review: This review talks about the principal imaging investigations in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Physiopathological mechanisms are briefly discussed. The article will focus on the major brain lesions and their imaging appearance with also reference to the most recent techniques that can correlate with prognosis. Recent Findings: Neuroimaging plays a principal role in the evaluation of TBI. CT and MRI are used for the evaluation of pathological findings after the trauma and for the follow-up. Several classification systems have been proposed to correlate neuroimaging findings and patients’ outcome. Novel functional imaging techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging, may provide further important information for the prediction of prognosis. Summary: CT is the best imaging tool for the acute evaluation of patients with TBI. MRI has higher sensibility in the detection of brain lesions, but currently is mostly used in the follow-up. Functional imaging techniques are very promising, but still are not currently included in the clinical evaluation.