Introduction to the Basics of Brain CT Scan

The first secret is that we describe CT scan findings as ‘densities’ of which there are three common easily identifiable ones to learn. ‘In general the higher the density the whiter the appearance on the CT scan and the lower the density the darker the appearance on the brain CT scan.’ The reference density (the one you compare with) is the brainusually the largest component inside the skull. Anything of the same density as the brain is called ISODENSE, and it is characterised by a dull greyish white appearance (Fig. 1.1). Thus the brain is the reference density. Anything of higher density (whiter) than the brain is called HYPERDENSE, and the skull is the best example of a hyperdense structure that is seen in a normal brain CT scan.