Metastasis in Adult Brain Tumors

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2016 Nov;26(4):601-620. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2016.06.008. Epub 2016 Sep 2.

Abstract

Metastatic cancer to the central nervous system is primarily deposited by hematogenous spread in various anatomically distinct regions: calvarial, pachymeningeal, leptomeningeal, and brain parenchyma. A patient's overall clinical status and the information needed to make treatment decisions are the primary considerations in initial imaging modality selection. Contrast-enhanced MR imaging is the preferred imaging modality. Morphologic MR imaging is limited to delineating anatomic deraignment of tissues. Dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion and diffusion-weighted physiology-based MR imaging sequences have been developed that complement morphologic MR imaging by providing additional diagnostic information.

Keywords: Brain; DSC perfusion; MR Imaging; Metastasis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Contrast Media
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neuroimaging / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Contrast Media