The value of routine cranial computed tomography in neurologically intact patients with primary carcinoma of the lung.

The most common cerebral metastatic lesion is from carcinoma of the lung. Preoperative cranial computed tomography (CCT) with contrast enhancement was performed in 55 neurologically intact patients with a diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma; 3 patients (5%) demonstrated cerebral metastasis. CCT could spare a significant number of such patients from unnecessary surgery, with a net saving substantially greater than its cost.