Supratentorial tumours. Part I: general role of imaging

This paper summarises the role and specificity of the most common used techniques for brain tumour imaging. When a supratentorial brain neoplasm is suspected, investigations are directed towards certain questions including: confirmation of the presence of an intracranial structural abnormality; determination of its possible nature; prediction of its degree of malignancy; assesment of extent and location relative to critical structures; prediction of its internal structure and probable consistency and evaluation and response to treatment. It is appreciated that the majority of these inter-related questions can be answered by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasound continues to have a role in the young patients while plain skull radiographs, conventional radionuclide studies and pneumoencepahalography no longer have a role to play except in rare circumstances. 57 refs., 18 figs