COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY AND MAGNETIC-RESONANC E-IMAGING IN THE DIAGNOSTICWORK-UP OF DEMENTIA SYNDROMES

The contribution of CT and MRI in the diagnostic work-up of dementia i s outlined. High values for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity can be attained. However, normal CT or MRI findings do not rule out demen tia. Typical neuroradiological findings in primary degenerative dement ia in general and Alzheimer's disease in particular are described. Vas cular dementias, apart from multi-infarct dementia, comprise organic i mpairment in the context of cerebral microangiopathy (Binswanger's enc ephalopathy). Characteristic CT and MRI findings in Huntington's disea se, Wilson's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Korsakoff amnestic di sorder and other forms of dementia are described. Both CT and MRI are indispensable in the clinical work-up of dementia syndromes.