Configurational MR characteristics of metastatic brain tumors

Magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics of metastatic brain tumors (MBTs) were studied using 15 cases (13 males and 2 females whose ages ranged from 32-78 yr, with the mean age of 57.8 yr; 12 adenocarcinomas, 2 squamous-cell carcinomas, 2 large-cell carcinomas). Nine cases showed hypointensities and five showed isointensities on T1-weighted images. Six cases showed markedly hypo- or hypointensities, two showed isointensities, and six showed markedly hyper- or hyperintensities on T2-weighted images. One case was markedly hyperintense on both T1- and T2-weighted images. The decrease of the signal intensity on the T2-weighted image was the main MR characteristic. A hypointense peritumoral rim was seen in four of the six hyperintense tumors on T2-weighted images. There was no correlation between the signal intensity and the histological classification.