Computed tomographic and nuclear spin tomographic diagnosis of brain tumors using conventional and paramagnetic contrast media

52 patients with cerebral tumours were examined by both CT and MR. Contrast media containing iodine were used in CT, whereas in MR a paramagnetic contrast medium (gadolinium-DTPA) was applied by IV injection. A comparison of CT and MR findings showed that with both methods it was often not possible to achieve sufficient visualization and delineation of tumour tissue without employing a contrast medium. After application of the contrast medium, the shape and size contrast enhancement in the tumour tissue in both CT and MR was practically identical. This enables direct visualization of the tumour, superior delineation from the adjacent tissue, and differentiation between oedema and tumour, resulting in effective treatment planning which would otherwise not be possible.