PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the main MRI characteristics of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common CNS primary tumor, emphasizing its location and the occurrence of metastases. METHOD: The MR imaging of 67 pathologically proven cases of glioblastoma multiforme were retrospectively reviewed. The exams were realized in the period between 1995 and 2003, in one of three 1.5 Signa GE units (Milwaukee, WI). RESULTS: The ages of the patients ranged from 4 years to 86 years, mean 60 years, and the occurrence of the tumor was preponderant among men, with 39 cases (58%). The most common location was in the frontal lobes (47%) followed by the temporal lobes (18%) and the parietal lobes (16%). In 19% of the cases there were involvement of more than one site and long distance metastases were seen in 22% of the patients. CONCLUSION: According to the literature, the most common location of GBM was in the frontal lobe of older than 50 years old men. Metastases occurred in 22% of our cases.
glioblastoma multiforme; necrosis; magnetic resonance imaging; metastases
