[MR findings of metastatic brain tumors]

Fifteen cases with metastatic brain tumor(s) were examined on a 1.5T MR system and the results were evaluated along with images of contrast-enhanced CT. Gd-DTPA-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) showed the best detectability of lesions and was followed by contrast-enhanced CT, T2WI, and non-enhanced T1WI in that order. No correlation was found between the MR signal intensity and the histological classification of the tumors. In differential diagnosis with glioblastoma, several signal characteristics were encountered. Low or isointensity as well as the discrimination of tumor from edema on T2WI was considered to suggest the diagnosis of metastatic tumor.