Contrast enhancement in the postoperative brain.

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Abstract
Contrast enhancement simulating an abscess or residual tumor was described in postoperative cranial computed tomography (CT) scans. The cause of this contrast enhancement was studied by using canine brain as an experimental model. Sequential CT scanning was performed with and without contrast enhancement following partial resection of the right hemisphere, and the CT findings were correlated with the histological changes. Enhancement of the surgical margin apparently is related both temporally and spatially to the neovascularity following surgery. The ring-like enhancement around the surgical margin is seen best at 2-4 wk after surgery, and may simulate an abscess. Edema seen around an abscess in adjacent brain is absent or minimal in the case of postoperative enhancement during this period, and this feature should help differentiate these entities.