Computerized tomographic evaluation of intracranial metastases

ABSTRACT

In a study of intacranial metastases, 46 cases having satisfactory clinical, operative and histological proofswere analyzed by computerized tomography at Presbyterian Medical Center from May, 1982 to February, 1986. Theresults were as follows 1. The male to female ratio of itracranial metastases were 6733. The 5th decade group(34.8%) was the most prevalent age group, followed by the 6th decade(21.7%) and 7th decade(21.7%). 2. The numberof lesions was found to be single-25 cases(54.3%); multiple-21 cases(45.7%). 3. The source of intracranialmetastases found to be lung 15 cases(32.6%); unknown 12 cases(26.0%); chorioca 3 cases(6.5%); liver 3cases(6.5%); liver 3 cases(6.5%); stomach 2 cases(4.3%); parotid, breast, kidney, prostate, melanoma, rectal ca.rhabdomyosarcoma, nasal ca. lymphoma, testicular ca, cervix, each 1 case(2.2%). 4. The locations of theintracranial metastases were as follows Cerebral hemisphere 37.7% in parietal region Cerebra hemisphere 15.9% inin frontal region Cerebral hemisphere 13.4% in occipital region Cerebra hemisphere 10.5% in temporal regionCerebellar hemisphere 3.2% Cerebellopontine angle 3.2% Intraventricular 4.8% Meninges 4.8% Skull vault 6.5% 5.Peritumor edema was found to be Grade II-17 cases(37.0%) Grade III-14 cases(30.4%); Grade I-8 cases(17.4%);Grade 0–7 cases(15.2%) in that order. 6. The chief complaints of intracranial metastases on admission, were asfollows Headache 30 cases(65.2%); Vomiting 11 casees(23.9%); deteriorated mental state 10 cases(21.6%);Hemiplegia 7 cases(15.2%); visual disturbance 6 cases(13.0%); hemiparesis 4 cases(8.7%); seizure 4 cases(8.7%);other symptoms were less frequent. 7. On pre-contrast scan, hyperdense lesions were present in 18 cases(39.1%);hypodense lesions in 15 cases(32.6%); mixed density in 8 cases(17.4%); isodenisty was present in 5 cases(10.9%).On post-contrast scan, ring enhancement was seen in 19 cases(41.3%); nodular enhancement in 17 cases(37%); mixedring-nodular enhancement in 8 cases(17.4%); only hypodense 2 cases(4.3%).