[The kinetics of contrast media in cerebral tumours (author's transl)]

The increase in density of cerebral tumours following intravenous injection of contrast media was measured by computer tomography and was evaluated quantitatively. The density increase of 158 tumours five minute after injection was between 0 and 29 CT units. There are considerable variations in density increase of various types of tumour, but the scatter is so wide as to preclude a diagnosis of tumour type. In 75 tumours repeated measurement of contrast changes were carried out for two hours following the injection. Again the variation differs with different types of tumour, but is not characteristic enough for exact clinical diagnosis. In 26 patients contrast concentrations were measured in the tumour and the blood and a pharmaco-kinetic compartmental analysis was carried out. In some tumours contrast changes can be explained by a single compartment model, whereas in others a two compartment model is necessary. Certain conclusions regarding the mechanism of contrast uptake can be reached.