Neuroscience

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TIL before CT and MRI’s were available, doctors used to replace the fluid in and around the brain with air to do imaging with X-rays. (en.wikipedia.org)

submitted 1 year ago by thalamus to c/neuro

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Apparently this was done because air captures less X-rays than CSF and thus creates more contrast with brain tissue compared to the cerebrospinal fluid.

Unfortunately this was pretty painful and uncomfortable.

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[–] Stilicho 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

In the wiki they say they sometimes used pure oxygen? I'm no neurosurgeon or even knowledgeable on this topic, but how does the oxygen not damage the brain, if the dangerous procedure didn't already? Like sure for just a little while oxygen isn't all that bad, but pure oxygen will mess you up over time.

Or how would the brain not suffer the effects of the pressure difference when using helium?

If they needed something inert, why not just nitrogen?