INTRODUCTION:

Introduction of current neuroimaging technologies has been essential for the agile and effective diagnosis of cranial brain injuries. However, for various reasons there is a tendency to indiscriminate use. A review of the topic was made aimed at providing an update on the recommended strategies for the optimized use of these technologies.

Material and method:

A review of the topic of the last five years was made, using the Medline / Pubmed and SciELO platforms of complete articles, in English and Spanish. We also included relevant articles, published in previous years, located in previous bibliographic reviews carried out by the authors.

CONCLUSIONS:

Routine study with CT scan in all patients with head trauma is not cost effective, should be used in patients with Glasgow less than 15 points or in those with Glasgow of 15 points and risk factors of intracranial injury. Its use as a form of neuromonitoring is similarly useful, but on a selective basis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is especially useful in the mediate or late periods of cranial trauma, in patients with clinical tomographic incongruences, very useful to establish prognosis in diffuse traumas and intracranial complications. Neurosonology is a useful tool for therapeutic decision.