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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. (en.wikipedia.org)

submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago

Not sure to be honest but i’m guessing that enough would be left and that the air would resorb and new CSF would be made in the ventricles.