CT, MRI, and PET Imaging in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Shiv Patil; Robert Subtirelu; Eric Teichner; Rithvik Kata; Alexander Gerlach; Cyrus Ayubcha; Ahab Alnemri; Thomas Werner; Abass Alavi; Andrew B Newberg

doi:10.1016/j.cpet.2024.09.002

CT, MRI, and PET Imaging in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

PET Clin. 2025 Jan;20(1):133-145. doi: 10.1016/j.cpet.2024.09.002.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
² Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
³ Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
⁴ Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39547731
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2024.09.002

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health concern in the United States and worldwide. Neuroimaging is a critical element in the clinical evaluation of TBIs, as computed tomography (CT) and MR imaging are commonly used to identify structural changes that may aid in treatment decision-making and long-term patient monitoring. This article reviews the utility of CT and MR imaging while focusing on the emerging applications of PET in TBI. Pertinent research findings in the molecular imaging of cerebral metabolism, tau and β-amyloid, neurotransmitters, and neuroinflammation are discussed.

Keywords: Computed tomography; MR imaging; PET; Traumatic brain injury.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain / diagnostic imaging
Brain Injuries, Traumatic* / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging* / methods
Neuroimaging / methods
Positron-Emission Tomography* / methods
Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / methods