WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Dr. Osama Abbas Ijam, Dr. Montadhar Shaker Al Majidi, Dr. Zinah Abdalrahman Tawfik

ABSTRACT

Background: Brain metastases are the most common intracranial tumors in adults and represent a major cause of neurological morbidity among patients with systemic malignancies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for the detection and characterization of metastatic brain lesions owing to its superior soft-tissue contrast and high diagnostic accuracy. Objectives: To evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of brain metastases in patients with malignancy attending Al-Thaqalayn Oncology Hospital, Basra, Iraq. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Al-Thaqalayn Oncology Hospital, Basra, Iraq, from May 2022 to March 2026. A total of 83 patients with histologically confirmed primary malignancies and radiologically diagnosed brain metastases were included. Demographic, clinical, and MRI data were collected from medical records and imaging archives. MRI characteristics assessed included lesion number, anatomical distribution, enhancement pattern, perilesional edema, hemorrhage, necrosis, mass effect, and midline shift. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 31, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.2 ± 11.8 years, and males constituted 53.0% of the study population. Lung cancer was the most common primary malignancy (37.3%), followed by breast cancer (22.9%) and colorectal cancer (12.0%). Multiple brain metastases were identified in 66.3% of patients, while solitary lesions were observed in 33.7%. The cerebral hemispheres were the most common site of involvement (55.4%). Ring enhancement was the predominant MRI enhancement pattern (56.6%). Perilesional edema was present in 86.7% of patients, mass effect in 59.0%, necrosis in 44.6%, midline shift in 25.3%, and intratumoral hemorrhage in 16.9%. A significant association was found between primary tumor type and hemorrhagic metastases (P value = 0.021), as well as between lesion number and perilesional edema (P value = 0.034). Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging is an effective tool for the evaluation of brain metastases and provides valuable information regarding lesion morphology, distribution, and associated intracranial changes. Multiple lesions, cerebral hemispheric involvement, ring enhancement, and perilesional edema were the most common MRI findings. MRI remains essential for accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up of patients with metastatic brain disease.

[Full Text Article] [Download Certificate]