The Diagnostic Limitations of Computerised Axial Tomography in Hemispheric Tumours

Abstract

We have reviewed the first 6,500 CT scans (Table 1.1.) made in the National Hospital with the 160 x 160 matrix EMI head scanner with a view to establishing its accuracy and limitations in routine clinical practice in the diagnosis and management of suspected intracerebral tumours, and to verifying the diagnostic criteria which have been used throughout this period. We analysed the original radiological reports which had been made with some limited clinical data and, in some cases, with the knowledge of findings from other radiological investigations. The scans of these patients, on which a CT diagnosis of an intracerebral tumour had been made or included in the differential diagnosis, and the scans of all patients in whom an intracerebral tumour had been histologically proven during the same period were retrospectively analysed by one of us (EC) without any other information, and finally they were reviewed in conjunction with the clinical findings but without any other data in order to see to what extent this altered the results.