[Cerebral MR imaging of malignant melanoma.]

[Cerebral MR imaging of malignant melanoma.] Radiologe. 2015 Jan 16; Authors: Breckwoldt M, Bendszus M Abstract CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE: Melanoma is the third leading cancer entity to metastasize to the central nervous system (CNS) after lung and breast cancer. This is often an early event in the disease course and limits survival. Metastasis in the CNS is the cause of death in 10-40 % of melanoma patients and the incidence of brain metastasis is even higher (50-75 %). Cerebral metastases are commonly found in the subcortical white matter. The signal characteristics can vary substantially and may change over time due to hemorrhages or the accumulation of melanin and paramagnetic ions. It is not yet clear whether novel targeted therapies (e.g. immunotherapy and kinase inhibitors) alter imaging characteristics. Also immune-related side effects, such as hypophysitis (in approximately 5 % of patients receiving ipilimumab therapy) or granulomatous disease (neurosarcoid) can occur. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: Melanoma metastases are usually hyperdense in computed tomography (CT). In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2-weighted (T2-w) fluid-attentuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T1-w sequences (with and without i.v. contrast) should be obtained. Coronal and axial imaging planes should be scanned to cross-correlate findings. METHODICAL INNOVATIONS: Susceptibility-weighted imaging is a new sensitive method to de...
Source: Der Radiologe - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Radiologe Source Type: research