---
title: "Reasons to Image"
url: https://mghmclean.org/residents/handbk/part2b/reas.htm
description: "Change in mental status or new psychiatric/neurologic symptoms associated with:"
published: 2026-08-10
updated: 2026-08-10
---

# Reasons to Image

Published 2026-08-10

PART 3 / CH 33

Roy Perlis

Change in mental status or new psychiatric/neurologic symptoms associated with:

1. Recent head trauma

2. Bleeding risk (coumadin, e.g.)

3. First presentation or atypical presentation

4. Suspected infection or malignancy

5. New focal findings on elemental neurologic exam

In practice, even patients with typical presentation of psychiatric illness and none of the above features are often imaged at least once.