Neuroradiological Diagnosis of Craniocerebral and Spinal Trauma: Current Concepts

Abstract

Traditionally, X-ray films of the skull have been used to detect skull fractures, intracranial mass effect (“pineal shift”), air-fluid levels and foreign objects (e.g. metal, glass, projectile fragments). However, the diagnostic yield of plain X-ray films is low because there is poor correlation between skull fractures and intracranial injury. When computed tomography is available, plain skull films contribute little or no additional information in the clinical management of the acute trauma patient.