perilesional

Perilesional is a medical term that describes tissue or changes located around a lesion, an area of abnormal tissue. The prefix peri- means around, and lesion refers to diseased tissue; thus perilesional indicates the surrounding zone.

In imaging, perilesional is used to qualify observations around a lesion. Perilesional edema denotes swelling in tissue adjacent to a lesion, such as a brain tumor or an infarct, and may reflect inflammation, ischemia, or tumor infiltration. Perilesional enhancement can indicate disruption of barriers or vascular changes surrounding the lesion, contributing to differential diagnosis and treatment planning.

In dermatology and pathology, perilesional refers to the skin or tissue surrounding a cutaneous or mucosal lesion, often used to describe margins in biopsy specimens or inflammatory changes in the perilesional area. The term helps communicate whether findings are confined to the lesion or extend into adjacent tissue.

In neurology and oncology, perilesional tissue or changes are relevant for surgical planning and prognosis. Perilesional gliosis refers to scar tissue around a brain lesion, and perilesional margins are assessed to determine the extent of disease or clearance after therapy.

The term does not indicate a diagnosis by itself; it specifies location and context. Its clinical significance depends on the lesion type and the associated imaging or histopathological findings.