Identify the focal CT abnormality

Erin Zingarelli

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

erin.zingarelli@gmail.com


Publication Date: 20130805

Diagnosis

The following is a non-contrast CT.

  1. This patient had a known history of a brain tumor, but presented with new neurologic deficits. Can you identify the abnormalities on her CT scan?

    The dense region represents tumor, and the surrounding hypodense region represents a bleed.

    Incorrect - as this is a non-contrast study, tumor would not be expected to appear more dense than the surrounding brain tissue.
    The dense region represents a bleed within the mass, and the surrounding hypodense region represents edema.

    Correct! This patient experienced an intracranial hemorrhage as a result of her tumor, with surrounding tissue edema.
    The dense region represents tumor, and the surrounding hypodense region represents edema.

    Incorrect. While the hypodensity is in fact edema, the bright, dense region on this NON-contrast CT is not consistent with the appearance of a tumor.
    The dense region represents a calcified tumor, and the surrounding hypodense region represents edema.

    Incorrect - while tumors may sometimes calcify, this patient's new-onset neurologic deficits and the surrounding tissue edema are more consistent with an acute bleed rather than tumor calcification.

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