CT Quick Guides ❯ Neuro CT Appearances: Brain Atrophy

Neuro CT Appearances

 

 

Brain Atrophy CT Findings

Also called "Cerebral Atrophy"
Cortical atrophy:
  • Sulcal widening
  • Prominent subarachnoid spaces
Central atrophy:
  • Ventricular enlargement
  • Widening of basal cisterns
Brain Atrophy CT Findings

Other Information About Brain Atrophy

Etiology:

  • Neurological diseases
  • Head trauma
  • Stroke
  • Familial history
  • Some infectious disease such as HIV and syphilis

Epidemiology:

  • Brain shrinkage occurs naturally in the 4th decade of life; brain atrophy occurs when shrinkage occurs at a higher than normal rate

Presentation:

  • Memory loss
  • Aphasia
  • Dementia
  • Seizures

Prognosis:

  • There is no cure for brain atrophy but symptoms can be treated

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