A study on Brain Gliomas and Metastatases to Brain in Computerized Tomography

Gliomas and brain metastases are the largest groups of brain neoplasms and may have similar appearances in manifestation, age group and imaging criteria in CT-Scans. This study aimed to overview the imaging appearances of these two groups of tumors in the stereotactic center of Shohada-e Tajrish hospital. This was an analytic descriptive blind retrospective study. 139 proved cases with various space occupying lesions were selected and their CT-Scans were investigated for number, size, location, distribution, density and enhancement after IV contrast. Then, the data were analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistics and t-test and 2 tests. In this study, there were 45.3% brain gliomases, 18.7% metastases, 21.5% primary lymphoma and 10% abscesses. Like other investigators, we found similarity between gliomas and metastases to brain. Brain metastasis had greater tendency to involve white gray matter junction in contrast to gliomas. Multiple lesions were most likely metastases, abscesses or lymphomas rather than gliomas. Ring-like enhancement was found in majority of gliomases and metastases, but our study showed that this appearance must have greater correlation with brain abscess. Imaging must be used in conjunction with other modalities such as para-clinical and clinical findings to make correct diagnoses. Of course, definite diagnoses can only be made with pathological specimen studies.