Skull metastases

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Skull metastases

  • When assessing a CT of the brain, check the bones using 'bone window' settings
  • This image shows multiple destructive (lytic) bone lesions of the skull due to bone metastases

Clinical information

  • Known history of breast cancer
  • Headaches and palpable lumps on the scalp

Normal CT - arachnoid granulation pits

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Normal CT - arachnoid granulation pits

  • CT frequently demonstrates small pits in the inner table of the skull
  • These pits - which contain arachnoid granulations - are normal structures and should not to be confused with lytic bone disease
  • Arachnoid granulation pits are usually located near the midline and appear well corticated

Page author: Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust UK (Read bio)

Last reviewed: November 2018