Abstract
Approximatel 40-50% of all intracranial tumors are high grade gliomas. Anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade 3) accounts for approximately 25% of malignant astrocytomas.
Glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade 4) represent nearly three fourhts of these tumors and is the most common of all primary intracranial CNS tumor. The best modality for preoperative and postoperative evaluation patients with high grade glioma is magnetic resonance imaging (contrast enhanced).
Survival in patients with malignant glioma is highly correlated with age at diagnosis and extent of residual tumor after surgical resection. Residual tumor is shown most reliably on contrast-enhanced MR scans obtained durind first 3 days after surgery.
This timing minimized surgically induced contrast enhancement and interpretative difficulties.