[Indications for proton spin tomography in central nervous system diseases in childhood. A 4-year experience report on 164 cases].

1. Magnetic Resonance Tomography (MRT) is the method of choice for precise, comprehensive and reproducible imaging of congenital malformations and space occupying lesions. 2. MRT indicates inflammatory processes of the CNS earlier than CT by which extension and localization are visualized more precisely. MRT gains particular importance for follow-up studies because there is no radiation burden. In cases of disseminated inflammatory lesions or concerning early diagnosis of Herpes-encephalitis an exact and rapid diagnosis is possible. 3. In patients suffering from convulsions with or without focal lesions in EEG MRT instead of CT should be applied as MRT allows three-dimensional imaging not influenced by bone artifacts. 4. CT is superior to MRT if small calcifications or acute hemorrhage are looked for. MRT enables us to differentiate several stages of bleeding. 5. In patients with cerebral AV-malformations angiography can be replaced by MRT. However, angiography is indispensable for small aneurysms and AV-malformations in the spinal canal. 6. Due to high soft tissue contrast MRT is the imaging modality of choice in patients with metabolic and degenerative diseases and disturbances of brain maturation. 7. In infants sonography should be done first and supplemented by MRT and/or CT.