Pathologic anatomy and CT correlations in the glioblastoma multiforme

6 cases of glioblastoma multiforme, 1 anaplastic astrocytoma, and 1 astrocytoma were studied pathologically post mortem. The specimens were compared to antemortem CT scans, when available. By use of whole brain sections, each glioblastoma was divided into a central area of necrosis, a surrounding rim of hypercellular neoplasm, and a peripheral zone of infiltration. The dimensions and areas of these three zones were quantified. The striking findings of the study were the often small diameter of the hypercellular region and the frequently narrow peripheral zone of detectable infiltrating cells. Comparison of the autopsy specimens with CT scans confirmed previous studies of the glioblastoma. The radiographic central area of low density is necrosis; the enhancing rim is a markedly hypercellular region, and the perilesional low density encompasses a population of infiltrating tumor cells.