Interpreting and Understanding CT Scanning in Head Injuries.

CT scans of neural trauma are difficult to assess. Some do not reveal enough detail, while others seem to show too much, leading to apparent discrepancies between the CT scan report and the course of therapy. This confuses the patient's family, who often ask the family physician about the type of treatment being given and the ultimate prognosis. Their concerns can often be alleviated if the family physician understands and can explain these apparent discrepancies. This article describes several of the more troublesome CT scan results.