Clinical manifestations and diagnostic imaging of brain tumors

The clinical manifestations of intracranial tumors are usually referable to the anatomic area of the brain involved or adjacent structures. Some anatomic regions may allow a tumor to reach substantial size while remaining clinically silent. In contrast, small lesions in critical areas are more likely to present early. The initial diagnosis of intracranial tumors is most efficiently made by imaging. This article discusses the clinicoanatomic features and imaging characteristics of brain tumors, including the use of dynamic susceptibility-weighted, T1 dynamic, diffusion, functional, and diffusion tensor imaging.