Space Occupying lesions

A space-occupying lesion (SOL) is an abnormal intracranial mass that occupies space and compresses or displaces surrounding brain tissue. Causes include primary or metastatic tumors, abscesses, hematomas, cysts and granulomatous lesions. As the lesion enlarges, it may produce cerebral edema and raised intracranial pressure, resulting in headache, vomiting, papilledema, seizures, focal neurological deficits and altered consciousness. Severe mass effect may cause midline shift and brain herniation, with compression of vital brainstem structures. At autopsy, the lesion's site, size, nature, associated edema and displacement should be carefully documented.