Your doctor may order numerous studies in order to confirm or make a particular diagnosis. Each study has their own particular strength and limitations. The general type and application of each imaging modality commonly used in neurosurgical practices is listed above. In general, your doctor will want to personally review the images themselves and confirm the finding with the official dictated reports, so inquire before a doctor’s appointment which ones in particular may be required.

Imaging Studies
If you have a neurological or neurosurgical condition, it is very likely that the diagnosis has been made or facilitated by one or more of the medical image types mentioned above. Medical imaging has become an essential part of neurosurgery in particular, and medicine as a whole. In fact, the inventors of three of the imaging types below (X-Ray, CT, and MRI) all won the Nobel Prize for their discoveries!

Frequently, a patient will present to a neurosurgeon with a study ordered by another physician. It is not uncommon, however, for a neurosurgeon to order additional studies which can further elucidate the issue at hand. While some images are very hard to interpret, others can be easily understood by both doctors and patients. We encourage you to always review your films with your doctor to best understand your medical condition.