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Gliomatosis cerebri
R del Carpio-O'Donovan1, I Korah, A Salazar
1Department of Radiology, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.
Radiology
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is superior for detecting gliomatosis cerebri, a rare brain tumor. This study found MR imaging better characterized tumor extent compared to computed tomography (CT) scans.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Gliomatosis cerebri is an uncommon central nervous system neoplasm.
- Characterizing its imaging features is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of gliomatosis cerebri.
- To compare the diagnostic utility of CT and MR imaging for this condition.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of CT and MR imaging studies from 22 patients diagnosed with gliomatosis cerebri.
- Correlation of imaging findings with autopsy (n=5) or biopsy confirmation.
- Assessment of tumor distribution, extent, and progression.
Main Results:
- Gliomatosis cerebri involved multiple brain lobes in all patients, with frequent extension to the corpus callosum, basal ganglia, and thalamus.
- MR imaging demonstrated widespread infiltration with hyperintensity on proton-density and T2-weighted images.
- CT scans showed hypo- or isoattenuation without contrast enhancement; MR imaging revealed a greater tumor extent than CT.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the preferred modality for detecting and characterizing gliomatosis cerebri.
- The characteristic imaging pattern is infiltrative, leading to enlargement of cerebral structures.