Effect of Dexamethasone Treatment on Peritumoral Brain Edema

Abstract

In a prospective study, the effect of dexamethasone treatment on brain edema was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) in 14 patients with intracranial neoplasm. A CT study was made immediately prior to the beginning of the treatment and at various intervals for 8 to 19 days thereafter. The volume and attenuation of the edema were measured and related to the time after the start of treatment. In 5 cases of meningioma, only minor changes were shown; the edema volume decreased or increased slightly or did not change at all. In 4 gliomas, a substantial decrease was noted in the edema volume in 2 cases and a smaller decrease was observed in 2 cases. In 3 metastases, a linear decrease in edema volume was noted during the entire follow-up, reducing it to 1/4 of the initial volume after 2 wk of treatment. In 1 case of acoustic neuroma and in 1 undiagnosed lesion, a marked decrease in edema volume was also noted. The attenuation of the remaining edema was constant during the entire treatment time.