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. - eviltoast
Pneumoencephalography - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1779005

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.

  • USSMojave@startrek.websiteEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Everyone’s experience is different. When I got an MRI scan I really did almost fall asleep. Yes it was loud but its rythmic tapping almost sounded like a song, and add the warm blanket on my legs I was sometimes almost nodding off (it was for a cognitive study so I had to stay awake)