Revolutionizing pediatric neuroimaging: the era of CT, MRI, and beyond

Abstract

Purpose: To review the evolution of cross-sectional imaging in pediatric neuroradiology from early developments to current advancements and future directions.

Methods: Information was obtained through a PubMed literature search as well as referenced online resources and personal experience from radiologists currently practicing pediatric neuroimaging and those who experienced the era of nascent cross-sectional imaging.

Results: The advent of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the 1970s and 1980s brought about a revolutionary shift in the field of medical imaging, neurosurgical and neurological diagnosis. These cross-sectional imaging techniques ushered in a new era by enabling the visualization of soft tissue structures within the brain and spine. Advancements in these imaging modalities have continued at a remarkable pace, now providing not only high high-resolution and 3-dimensional anatomical imaging, but also functional assessment. With each stride forward, CT and MRI have provided clinicians with invaluable insights, improving the accuracy and precision of diagnoses, facilitating the identification of optimal surgical targets, and guiding the selection of appropriate treatment strategies.

Conclusion: This article traces the origins and early developments of CT and MRI, chronicling their journey from pioneering technologies to their current indispensable status in clinical applications and exciting possibilities that lie ahead in the realm of medical imaging and neurologic diagnosis.

Keywords: CT; MRI; Pediatric neuroimaging; Radiology history.