Computed tomography of disseminated meningeal and ependymal malignant neoplasms

We studied computed tomography (CT) scans of 50 patients with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with disseminated meningeal tumor, all documented by cerebrospinal fluid cytology, surgical biopsy or autopsy. Twenty-three patients also had nuclear scans, and 13 had cerebral angiograms. Represented in the series were patients with metastatic carcinoma, gliomas, and lymphomas. The characteristic CT findings included gyral enhancement without edema; sulcal and basilar cisternal obliteration and enhancement, and ependymal-subependymal enhancement. The correct diagnosis was made by CT in 28 of the 50 cases (56%).