Xenon-enhanced CT scanning is a method of computed tomography (CT scanning) used for

neuroimaging Neuroimaging is the use of quantitative (computational) techniques to study the structure and function of the central nervous system, developed as an objective way of scientifically studying the healthy human brain in a non-invasive manner. Incr ...

in which the subject inhales

xenon Xenon is a chemical element with the symbol Xe and atomic number 54. It is a dense, colorless, odorless noble gas found in Earth's atmosphere in trace amounts. Although generally unreactive, it can undergo a few chemical reactions such as the ...

gas while CT images are made. The method can be used to assess changes in

cerebral blood flow Cerebral circulation is the movement of blood through a network of cerebral arteries and veins supplying the brain. The rate of cerebral blood flow in an adult human is typically 750 milliliters per minute, or about 15% of cardiac output. Arter ...

in the period shortly after a

traumatic brain injury A traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as an intracranial injury, is an injury to the brain caused by an external force. TBI can be classified based on severity (ranging from mild traumatic brain injury TBI/concussionto severe traumatic ...

, or to detect or indicate the location of a stroke. Xenon acts as a

contrast medium A contrast agent (or contrast medium) is a substance used to increase the contrast of structures or fluids within the body in medical imaging. Contrast agents absorb or alter external electromagnetism or ultrasound, which is different from radioph ...

and the saturation of brain tissue is proportional to blood flow. This allows the estimation of blood flow to any given brain area based on imaging results.

References

Neurotrauma X-ray computed tomography {{med-diagnostic-stub