Radiation effects in the canine brain evaluated by quantitative computed tomography.

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and histopathology were used to assess the effects of large single doses of x irradiation on the normal canine brain. Measurable changes demonstrated by QCT included increased contrast enhancement and enlargement of the lateral ventricles, which were observed prior to any clinical signs. The results suggest that QCT methods are effective in the noninvasive evaluation of radiation-induced brain injury.