From the Guidelines
The primary difference between an MRI of the head and an MRI of the brain lies in their anatomical focus and clinical purpose, with MRI head being a broader examination that includes the entire head structure, and MRI brain specifically targeting brain tissue and structures. An MRI head is a more comprehensive examination that images the skull, facial bones, sinuses, orbits, and soft tissues, in addition to the brain, making it useful for evaluating conditions that affect structures outside the brain itself, such as sinus disease, orbital pathology, or skull base abnormalities 1. In contrast, an MRI brain is optimized to evaluate brain parenchyma, ventricles, blood vessels, and surrounding meninges, using specialized sequences like diffusion-weighted imaging, FLAIR, and susceptibility-weighted imaging, which are designed to detect neurological conditions such as strokes, tumors, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases 1.
Some key points to consider when deciding between an MRI head and an MRI brain include:
- The clinical focus: if the focus is on evaluating brain tissue and structures, an MRI brain may be more appropriate, whereas if the focus is on evaluating the entire head structure, an MRI head may be more suitable 1.
- The specific imaging protocols and sequences used: MRI brain studies typically use specialized sequences that are designed to detect neurological conditions, whereas MRI head studies may use more general protocols that image the entire head structure 1.
- The suspected clinical condition: the physician will determine which type of scan is appropriate based on the patient's specific symptoms and suspected clinical condition 1.
It's worth noting that while there is some controversy about the necessity of MRI in the acute phase of head trauma, MRI is more sensitive than CT for subtle findings adjacent to the calvarium or skull base, and for small white matter lesions in traumatic axonal injury or DAI 1. However, the additional information provided by MRI may not always affect management in the acute phase 1. In the subacute or chronic phase, MRI is typically recommended as the most useful initial imaging for evaluating head trauma, as it is more sensitive than CT for subtle findings and can help with prognostication of long-term neurocognitive sequelae 1.
From the Research
Difference between MRI of the Head and MRI of the Brain
- MRI of the head and MRI of the brain are often used interchangeably, but they can have different focuses and applications 2, 3.
- MRI of the brain is typically used to detect abnormalities in the brain tissue, such as lesions, tumors, or structural changes 2, 4.
- MRI of the head, on the other hand, can include imaging of the brain, as well as other structures in the head, such as the cervical spine, facial bones, and soft tissues 2, 5.
- The choice of MRI protocol and sequencing can depend on the specific clinical question being addressed, such as detecting lesions in multiple sclerosis 4 or identifying structural abnormalities in epilepsy 3.
- In some cases, MRI of the head may be used to evaluate the brain and surrounding structures in the context of trauma, such as in pediatric traumatic brain injury 6.
- Advanced MRI techniques, such as functional MRI and tractography, can provide additional information about brain function and structure, particularly in the context of neurological disorders like epilepsy 3.