Magnetic Resonance Images of Metastatic Skull Tumors

Abstract

Purpose : We studied MR images of metastatic skull tumors to elucidate their features. Subjects and Methods : Eighty patients with metastatic skull tumors were found on routine head MR images since September 2002 to March 2004. Contrast-enhanced study with fat suppression was used in cases when required. The MR findings of the tumors were classified into four categories : local intraosseous, local invasive, diffuse intraosseous, and diffuse invasive types. Tumor localization was determined either in calvarium or skull base. Results : Primary sites were breast cancer (60%), lung cancer (15%), malignant lymphoma (6%), prostate cancer (5%), and others. Calvarial local intraosseous type was found most frequently (32%). The patients were mainly asymptomatic. However, a few had headache and nausea due to diffuse invasive type tumors, and others suffered from cranial nerve palsies that deteriorate their quality of life due to skull base tumors. Conclusion : Metastatic skull tumors are not rare. MR images contribute to understanding their localization, multiplicity, and also their relation to the brain, cranial nerves, and dural sinuses.