Steroid effect on the brain scan in a patient with cerebral metastases

A case of cerebral metastases is presented in which the initial brain scan did not demonstrate the lesion because steroid medication had been started 18 hr earlier. The lesion was seen after the patient had been off medication for several days. Therefore, brain scans should be performed prior to starting or following the removal of steroid medication for several days in order to avoid false-negative results secondary to steroid effects.