The Roentgenological Diagnosis of Tumors of the Corpus Callosum

Abstract

ThE considerable difficulties in diagnosis of tumors of the corpus callosum, often met with, made a detailed roentgenological study seem desirable. In this paper we present ~1 cases from the Neurosurgical Clinic of the University of Cologne in the years 1951 to 1957, and refer to another ~0 cases, described in an earlier paper, 15 from the Neurosurgical Clinic of the University of Berlin* in the years between 1937 and 1944. In respect to the roentgenological diagnosis of these tumors most authors seem to agree that deformation of the ventricular system seen in pneumoencephalographic studies is characteristic. Following is a summary of the descriptions given by Lysholm, 25 Dyke and Davidoff, 9 Davidoff and Epstein, ~ Kautzky and Ziilch, is Gebhardt, 15 and Lindgren: 22 Tumors of the corpus callosum are characterized by a separation of the lateral ventricles, usually causing a broadening of the septum pellucidum in its uppermost part, this deformation being best observed in the sagittal (anteroposterior) view. Usually the separation of the ventricular system is accompanied by a more or less pronounced lowering and bowl-like impression in the roof of both ventricles. On the lateral view one meets with a similar aspect, there usually being an impression in the roof of the anterior horn of both sides, usually with an irregular contour, and sometimes a deformation of the roof of the third ventricle. According to the size of the tumor and the possible obstruction of one or both interventricular foramina, there may exist a concomitant dilatation of the lateral ventricles. Tumors involving the corpus callosum do not always have a perfectly symmetrical growth and consequently the roentgenological aspect may vary. If the tumor has grown mainly to one side there will still be a deformation of the ventricles, but one of them will be more deformed than the other. This applies to expanding lesions of the rostrum and middle third of the corpus callosum. The separation of ventricles is very difficult to appreciate closer to the splenium of the corpus callosum, as similar pictures may be obtained when there is an insufficient quantity of air in the ventricles3 9,3~ As the ventricular cavities tend to separate from the midline in their posterior aspect, a chance of appreciating the deformity in * At that time Prof. W. Ttinnis was Director.