As I reviewed my authors' manuscripts for this issue on Neuroimaging: The Essentials, I contemplated the remarkable changes that have occurred in the field of neuroradiology in such a short period. In my earliest exposure to the subspecialty while working as a radiologic technologist in the angiography suite, we were still performing angiography to diagnose subdural hematomas in trauma patients. (I can't believe I'm admitting to being this old in print). Contrast this to the current methods of imaging head trauma, which are reviewed by Drs Aiken and Gean.
The widespread availability of multislice computed tomography (CT) scanners has completely changed our approach to neurovascular evaluation, with CT angiography now supplanting catheter angiography for most routine diagnostic dilemmas.
As neuroradiologists, we are not only involved in evaluating neuroanatomy and pathology but brain physiology and function have become part of our domain as well with the use of diffusion, perfusion, spectroscopy, and functional imaging techniques.
In this issue, we have attempted to review some of the diagnostic imaging tools and their applications in the current practice of neuroradiology. We have touched on some basic CT and magnetic resonance imaging applications as well as much more advanced imaging techniques. What a tremendous change in technology in 35 years!
I would like to thank all my contributing authors for their time and hard work on this issue. I would also like to thank Dr Jannette Collins for the opportunity to serve as guest editor. I hope this review will provide “something for everyone” running the gamut from techniques used in basic clinical practice of neuroradiology to an introduction to more advanced imaging and functional techniques, which may become part of our routine daily practice much sooner than we think!
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