CASE 982 Published on 20.03.2001

Diffusion MRI of metastatic adenocarcinoma in the posterior cranial fossa

Section

Neuroradiology

Case Type

Clinical Cases

Authors

R.N.Sener, S.Dzelzite, A.Migals, U.Raits, A.A.Veinbergs

Patient

53 years, male

Categories
No Area of Interest ; Imaging Technique MR, MR-Functional imaging
Clinical History
Increased intracranial pressure
Imaging Findings
Presented with signs and symptoms increased intracranial pressure. On MRI, T1 and T2-weighted images, T1-weighted images after contrast medium, and echo-planar diffusion images were acquired.
Discussion
The most common primary tumors to metastasize to brain include lung, breast, malignant melanoma, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal tumors, and the posterior fossa is a common site. On diffusion MRI most solid tumors are isointense to brain parenchyma on true diffusion (b=1000 sec/mm2) images, and reveal high signal on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, reflecting increased motion of water molecules. On the other hand, tumors with relatively high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios (like meningiomas) tend to be hyperintense on true diffusion (b=1000 sec/mm2) images. They have low signal, and low ADC values on the ADC maps, consistent with relative restriction of movement of water molecules. This was true for the current patient with metastatic lung tumor.
Differential Diagnosis List
Metastatic adenocarcinoma
Final Diagnosis
Metastatic adenocarcinoma
Case information
URL: https://eurorad.org/case/982
DOI: 10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.982
ISSN: 1563-4086