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Updated: Sep 2, 2026
Modeling Brain Metastases Through Intracranial Injection and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 7, 2020
CT and MRI findings after stereotactic resection of brain lesions
M Herman1, R S Pozzi-Mucelli, M Skrap
1Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Cattinara, Trieste, Italy. herman@risc.upol.cz
Objective:
To describe postoperative CT and MRI findings and their time course in uncomplicated cases after stereotactic volumetric resections of brain lesions.
Materials And Methods:
One-hundred twenty-eight imaging studies (CT, 86; MRI, 42), performed 6 h to 2 years after 52 stereotactic operations, were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed in relation to time of surgery in cases without complications.
Results:
The extent of resection bed did not change during the first week after operation; reduction of size then began and continued up to 3-6 months. Mass effect and edema showed no changed during the first 4 days, then later regressed gradually. Pneumocephalus was found in 58% of cases in the first 3 weeks, but never later. Benign, surgically-induced enhancement appeared at the margins of encephalotomy and retractor at the end of the first postoperative week, became more prominent during the following weeks, and lasted up to 3-5 months. In the majority of cases enhancement prevented recognition of the residual tumor. Dural enhancement was observed at the craniotomy site very early after the operation and persisted up to 1 year. Meningeal enhancement over convexities was found in 44% of MRI studies.
Conclusion:
Extent of the resection bed, mass effect, edema, and pneumocephalus show, in uncomplicated cases, a regular regression during the postoperative period. The time course of enhancement is complex and can be a source of diagnostic misinterpretation.
