[Computed tomography in brain metastases (author's transl)].

CT scan of the one hundred and sixteen metastatic brain tumors in 50 patients was reviewed and compared to the previous reports. The most common primary organ was lung (43%) followed by breast (18%), colon (10%) and kidney (6%). Solitary nodule was found in 20 patients (40%). On plain CT scan, tumor nodules were demonstrated as slightly high density in 38 (33%), isodensity in 50 (43%) and slightly low density in 28 (24%). Majority of tumor nodules were present in the corticomedullary junction (82%). Brain edema seen as a peritumoral low density was extensive in comparison with the edema in the glioma of the similar size. On contrast CT scan, ring like enhancement was seen in 41 (35%). Intra-tumoral bleeding was shown in 2 metastatic nodules from choriocarcinoma and in one metastatic nodule from renal cell carcinoma. All 3 cases were proved by surgery or autopsy.