DIAGNOSTIC MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE BRAIN INJ URY

The basis for aggressive treatment of patients with severe head injuri es is swift and efficient diagnostic management of trauma victims. The best imaging modality for the detection of relevant intracranial inju ries is cranial computed tomography. The use of CT is also justified f rom an economic point of view. CT is supported by plain X-ray and for special purposes by Doppler sonography, digital subtraction angiograph y and magnetic resonance imaging. Further indications of imaging proce dures are the evaluation of the time course of intracranial injuries, treatment monitoring and the detection of secondary complications.