Radiographic incidence of multicentric malignant gliomas.
BACKGROUND
Multicentric malignant gliomas are interesting yet uncommon clinical entities with an unknown rate of occurrence.


METHODS
We reviewed the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images of 100 consecutive patients with malignant gliomas to determine the incidence of multicentricity in malignant glial neoplasms.


RESULTS
Five patients had multiple lesions on their initial radiographic study (synchronous lesions) and in four patients multiplicity developed after initial diagnosis (metachronous lesions). MR imaging demonstrated one lesion not seen on CT.


CONCLUSIONS
Because synchronous or metachronous multicentricity was found in 9% of patients with malignant gliomas, treatment delivery should not be based on radiographic imaging without attempting to obtain an accurate diagnosis of the ongoing intracranial process.
D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed