ABSTRACT
Portable forms of imaging, mainly ultrasound and 2D x-ray, have been around for many decades. But neither of these modalities has been very useful for neuroimaging. The major neuroimaging modalities, namely, computed tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and single-photon emission CT (SPECT)/Positron emission tomography, have not existed in portable form. The chapter attempts to explore the new neuroimaging applications by first giving a background on the design and development of the new portable imaging systems. It presents a background on the clinical need for portable imaging of several of these neurological diseases. The chapter focuses on the state of accomplishments portable CT scanning in the intensive care unit, portable intraoperative CT, intra-ambulance CT for ischemic stroke, and portable SPECT imaging of refractory epilepsy patients. It summarizes the portable neuroimaging accomplishments to date and also try and predict where portable neuroimaging may go in the next decade.
