Normal CT Brain (Non-contrast) — Key Radiological Features (Concise)

Normal CT Brain (Non-contrast) — Key Radiological Features (Concise)






 

1. Symmetry

  • Bilateral cerebral hemispheres symmetrical
  • No midline shift
  • Falx cerebri in midline

2. Grey–White Matter Differentiation

  • Clear distinction:
    • Grey matter (cortex, basal ganglia) → slightly hyperdense
    • White matter → slightly hypodense
  • Preserved corticomedullary junction

3. Ventricular System

  • Lateral, 3rd, 4th ventricles:
    • Normal size and configuration
    • Symmetrical
  • No dilatation or compression

4. Cisterns & Sulci

  • Basal cisterns (suprasellar, ambient, quadrigeminal) → open and well-defined
  • Cortical sulci:
    • Normal for age
    • No effacement (→ edema) or prominence (→ atrophy)

5. Basal Ganglia & Thalami

  • Normal density and symmetry
  • No focal hypo/hyperdense lesions

6. Brainstem & Cerebellum

  • Normal size, contour, and density
  • No focal lesion or compression

7. No Abnormal Densities

  • No:
    • Hyperdensity → hemorrhage
    • Hypodensity → infarct/edema
  • No calcification (except physiological: pineal, choroid plexus)

8. Midline Structures

  • Falx, septum pellucidum → central
  • No mass effect or shift

9. Bone & Extra-axial Structures

  • Skull vault intact (no fracture)
  • No:
    • Extradural/subdural collection
    • Scalp swelling

10. Orbits & Sinuses (Screening)

  • Orbits normal
  • Paranasal sinuses:
    • Air-filled (no fluid level or opacification)

Ultra-short Mnemonic: “S G V C B B M B O”

  • Symmetry
  • Grey–white differentiation
  • Ventricles
  • Cisterns/sulci
  • Basal ganglia
  • Brainstem/cerebellum
  • Midline
  • Bones/extra-axial
  • Orbits/sinuses
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