Board Review 3 – Case 3

Neuroradiology board review. This lecture is geared towards the ABR core exam for residents, but it would be useful for review for the ABR certifying exam or certificate of added qualification (CAQ) exam for neuroradiology.

More description and the answer (spoiler!) are seen below the video.

This case shows a nodular mass along the right frontal calvarium in a patient with pain. It is T2 hyperintense, T1 hypointense, and enhances avidly.

The diagnosis is: skull metastasis

Any mass in the calvarium that has associated osseous destruction is concerning. Benign masses often contain fat (are T1 hyperintense and suppress on T2 fat-saturated imaging) and rarely destroy the cortex. Pain, as was experienced by the patient in this case, is also a concerning feature.

Any patient with a concerning calvarial mass but no history of malignancy should probably be evaluated for metastatic disease. While the evaluation may vary by institution, it will most commonly consist of a whole body PET/CT or CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.