Calcified brain metastatic adenocarcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

Neuroradiol J. 2019 Feb;32(1):57-61. doi: 10.1177/1971400918805184. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Abstract

Introduction: Calcification in brain metastasis occurs rarely so it is reported in approximately 1% of surgical and 6.6% of autopsy specimens. Here we report a new case of brain metastasis with calcification.

Case presentation: A 44-year-old woman presented with a generalized tonic-clonic seizure with no neurological deficit on physical examination. Brain imaging demonstrated a hyperdense lesion on computed tomography scan and hyposignal and rim enhancement on T1, T2 and T1 with gadolinium injection sequence images in the right parieto-occipital lobe. Intraoperatively, there was a well-defined solid homogenous calcified mass within brain parenchyma. The lesion that resembled a meningioma was totally resected. The histopathological examination revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion: Metastatic brain lesions should be in the differential diagnosis of a solitary calcified brain mass, although it occurs rarely. It is important to differentiate it radiologically from intralesional haemorrhage.

Keywords: Calcified brain mass; colon cancer; metastatic adenocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis / pathology*
  • Calcinosis / surgery
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Contrast Media