A systematic approach to diagnosis of cystic brain lesions

Brain metastasis is the most common intracranial tumor in adults. The incidence of brain metastasis is rising with the increase in survival of cancer patients. Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast enhancement is the imaging procedure of choice to diagnose and characterize brain metastases. Multiple lesions with marked vasogenic edema and mass effect are typically seen in patients with brain metastases. The classical appearance of a metastasis is a solid enhancing mass with well-defined margins and extensive edema. Occasionally, central necrosis produces a ring enhancing mass. Here, we report a case of Non Small Cell Lung Cancer with multiple ring enhancing lesions in brain, and the approach to diagnosis of such patients.