Computerized tomography as a possible aid to histological grading of supratentorial gliomas.

Computerized tomography (CT) is known to be very helpful in demostrating the presence and extent of supratentorial gliomas, practically in combination with intravenous injection of contrast material. Certain specific density patterns were found to exist and enabled us to differentiate with confidence the low-grade gliomas from the glioblastomas. Overlapping did occur, however, as was to be expected, since histological proof was sometimes obtained by the needle biopsy with its inherent doubt as to true tumor representation. Future CT techniques such as sequential scanning after intravenous injection of contrast material may further increase the usefulness of CT scans in the diagnosis and therapeutic approach to the patient with a suspected glioma.