Multiple ring enhancing brain lesions on computed tomography: an Indian perspective.
BACKGROUND
Multiple enhancing computed tomography (CT) brain lesions are common neuroimaging abnormalities in India. Several published case reports suggest that multiple enhancing lesions of the brain can occur with a wide variety of infective and non-infective etiologies.


METHODS
In this prospective follow up study, 110 consecutive patients with two or more than two enhancing brain lesions were subjected to a clinical evaluation and a battery of common investigative tests.


RESULTS
Infective pathologies were the most common etiology for multiple enhancing lesions of the brain. Tuberculosis was the commonest infective pathology, followed by neurocysticercosis. Neoplastic diseases were common non-infective causes. In majority, brain lesions were metastatic manifestation of a systemic neoplastic disorder. Lung carcinoma was the commonest primary malignancy. One patient each had multiple brain abscesses, Behcet's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. Among 4 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, one had toxoplasmosis and two patients were diagnosed to have cryptococcal meningitis. In 45 patients, after initial work up, etiological diagnosis could not be ascertained. These undiagnosed patients were empirically treated with antituberculous drugs and corticosteroids. Six undiagnosed patients showed pulmonary metastasis on repeat X-ray chest. In 10 patients CT lesions completely disappeared. In 5 patients number of CT lesions decreased. Six patients died. However, in majority of the undiagnosed patients follow up CT scans of brain remained unaltered.


CONCLUSIONS
A large number of infectious and non-infectious diseases can cause multiple enhancing lesions of the brain. The work up of these patients should include clinical evaluation, imaging and a battery of laboratory tests. The specific diagnosis may remain a challenge in several cases.
Garg
Ravindra Kumar
RK
Department of Neurology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow-226003, India. garg50@yahoo.com
Desai
Parthiv
P
Kar
Minakshi
M
Kar
Alok Mohan
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014391:Tuberculosis, Miliary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents