Value of computerized tomography scanning in syndromes associated with mental retardation: preliminary report.

The application of CT scanning in the evaluation of mental retardation syndromes is reviewed. In a representative sample of 35 institutionalized patients, the CT scan showed gross anatomic abnormality in most. However, these findings were diagnostic in only a small minority. Implications of this are discussed. In addition, the potential role of CT in the diagnosis of intercurrent diseases in the mentally retarded is considered.