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The Role of X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT)

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Handbook of Psychiatric Diagnostic Procedures

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Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) is a radiologic technique used to visualize gross anatomic structure of the brain in living persons. Since no consistent relationship between brain structure and psychiatric diagnosis has been established, CT does not help to “rule in” a psychiatric illness. It is not, strictly speaking, a diagnostic procedure in psychiatry. However, the CT scan does occupy an important place in the clinical armamentarium of the psychiatrist, who must frequently consider whether structural brain disease exists in his patients. Major psychiatric symptoms such as personality change, depression, and psychosis are nonspecific, clinical descriptors that in some cases represent early manifestations of remediable intracranial pathology. CT may be indicated in the search for such pathology. Furthermore, patients with symptoms of confusion, delirium, and dementia are increasingly being referred for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. The CT scan is an essential ingredient in the “work-up” of such patients.

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Authors
  1. Daniel R. Weinberger
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© 1985 Spectrum Publications, Inc.

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Weinberger, D.R. (1985). The Role of X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT). In: Handbook of Psychiatric Diagnostic Procedures. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6728-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6728-4_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-6730-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-6728-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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