[The importance of computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of slowly growing cerebral gliomas].

The authors present diagnostic problem in slowly growing brain gliomas. Two illustrative cases are presented. Both were characterized by scant clinical manifestations and long-term course of the illness before the operation. CT examinations repeated in both patients several times in the preoperative period of a few years disclosed unchanging hypodense areas in cerebral hemispheres. No progress in clinical status of the patients and CT imaging of the lesions were observed throughout years of observation (2 and 5 years, respectively). Rapid deterioration of neurological condition in both patients associated with enlargement of the lesions in CT allowed to establish strong suspicion of brain tumour which was confirmed by examination in each case. Histopathological examination revealed malignant gliomas in both cases. The cases confirmed once again the necessity of early MRI examination in patients with hypodense lesions of the brain found in CT. The authors believe that every hypodense area of the brain should be verified by MRI as soon as possible, regardless their size, progress and neurological status of the patient. Such as approach to the diagnosis of hypodense areas in the CT of the brain may prevent a delay in proper treatment as well as malignant transformation of primarily benign lesion.