CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA IDENTIFICATION BY CT AND MR-IMAGING AT 1.5-T

To compare the detectability of craniopharyngiomas by CT and MR imagin g, preoperative CT and MR studies obtained within 16 days of each othe r were evaluated retrospectively in 9 patients. MR imaging demonstrate d cystic and solid tumor components in all 9 tumors, and enhancement i n the 7 tumors that were studied after contrast medium injection. MR i maging demonstrated a signal void consistent with calcification in 4 p atients. Combining unenhanced and contrast medium-enhanced studies, CT also identified all the tumors. CT demonstrated cysts in 7 lesions, c alcification in 7 and enhancement in 6 of the 7 lesions that received i.v. contrast medium. Calcification was better seen by CT than MR imag ing, while MR imaging identified cystic tumor components not seen on C T. The contrast medium enhancement pattern was the same with the 2 mod alities. MR imaging of the sellar region, including at least one contr ast medium-enhanced sequence, should be sufficient in most instances t o establish a preoperative diagnosis of craniopharyngioma.