One advantage of MRI of the brain over computed tomography of the head is better tissue contrast, and it has fewer artifacts than CT when viewing the brainstem. MRI is also superior for pituitary<unk> . It may however be less effective at identifying early cerebritis. In the case of a concussion, an MRI should be avoided unless there are progressive neurological symptoms, focal neurological findings or concern of skull fracture on exam. In the analysis of a concussion, measurements of Fractional Anisotropy, Mean Diffusivity, Cerebral Blood Flow, and Global Connectivity can be taken to observe the pathophysiological mechanisms being made while in recovery. In analysis of the fetal brain, MRI provides more information about gyration than ultrasound. MRI is sensitive for the detection of brain abscess. A number of different<unk>  modalities or sequences can be used with<unk>  the nervous system: * T1-weighted (T1W) images: Cerebrospinal fluid is dark. T1-weighted images are useful for visualizing normal anatomy. * T2-weighted (T2W) images: CSF is light, but fat (and thus white matter) is darker than with T1. T2-weighted images are useful for visualizing pathology. * Diffusion-weighted images (DWI): DWI uses the diffusion of water molecules to generate contrast in MR images. * Proton density (PD) images: CSF has a relatively high level of protons, making CSF appear bright. Gray matter is brighter than white matter. False color MRI by applying red to T1, green to PD and blue to T2. * Fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR): useful for evaluation of white matter plaques near the ventricles. It is useful in identifying demyelination.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain
Brain biopsy
Hemoencephalography
Cranial ultrasound
Carotid ultrasonography
Stereoelectroencephalography
Pneumoencephalography
Transcranial pulsed ultrasound