Computed Tomographic Diagnosis of Suprasellar Masses by Intrathecal Enhancement

Abstract

Ten suspected [human] suprasellar [neoplastic] mass lesions were evaluated by CT [computed tomography] cisternography (CTC). In each case the cisterns could be defined. Suprasellar mass lesions were found in 6. Precise assessment of the anterior, lateral, posterior and superior extent, made by metrizamide CTC, was verified at surgery. In 2 masses the i.v. enhanced scan was not diagnostic, while a lesion was visualized by intrathecal (metrizamide) CT. The major diagnostic entity was an enlarged 3rd ventricle. When a chiasmic lesion is suspected and the conventional scan is negative, metrizamide CTC is the examination of choice.