Glioblastoma Multiforme on CT Scan

http://eradiology.bidmc.harvard.edu/Classics/item.aspx?section=Neuroimaging&labelpk=84a3cf36-44c2-4370-9522-50369eb830e3&pk=672b8da7-2a8d-43a2-a608-7fef8194b9bb

Findings

• The CT scan shows a large oval mass in the right frontal lobe with surrounding edema.
• There is a leftward midline shift and compression of the right lateral and third ventricles.

Discussion

There is a differential for low-attenuation supratentorial lesions on CT as well as for corpus callosum edema. This patient has glioblastoma multiforme, the most common primary brain malignancy in adults (20% of all primary brain tumors). MRI is more sensitive than CT for detecting brain tumors. CT is superior for detecting calcifications within the lesion.