Craniopharyngioma MRI

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The findings on MRI are:

Cysts
- Variable but 80% are mostly or partly T2 hyperintense
- T1: iso- to hyperintense to brain (due to high protein content machinery oil cysts)
Solid component
- T1 C+ (Gd): vivid enhancement
- T2: variable or mixed
Calcification
Difficult to appreciate on conventional imaging
Susceptible sequences may better demonstrate calcification

MR angiography: It may demonstrate displacement of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA).

MR spectroscopy: Cyst contents may show a broad lipid spectrum, with an otherwise flat baseline.

The findings on MRI are:

Cysts
- When present they are variable in signal
- 85% T1 hypointense
Solid component
- T1: iso- to lightly hypointense to brain
- T1 C+: vivid enhancement
- T2: variable/mixed

MR spectroscopy: cyst contents does not show a broad lipid spectrum as they are filled with water fluid