[Non neoplastic space occupying lesions mimicking central nervous system tumors].

Objective: To establish the frequency and nature of space occupying lesions of the central nervous system (CNS) that mimic neoplastic growths.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the clinical records, imaging and neuropathological studies of patients operated in different hospitals of Maracaibo, Venezuela during the period January 1 1996 July 31 2002. These patients had a pre operative diagnosis of CNS tumor, and their definitive diagnosis was non neoplastic disease.