Craniopharyngioma MRI

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Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753

Overview

Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT). It can produce very detailed images of the brain to help diagnose craniopharyngioma. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture.
Cranial computed tomography (CT) scan: CT scans are also used to diagnose craniopharyngioma. It can confirm the location of the tumor and show the organs nearby.
Endocrine hormone tests

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma in a pediatric patient

Adamantinomatous subtype appears as a predominately cystic suprasellar mass with a solid component.
Characteristic calcifications may not be discernible, though gradient-echo (GRE) images may show susceptibility effects from calcified components.
Cystic areas appear hyperintense on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images with heterogeneous isointense-to-hypointense solid components.
The cystic areas may be iso-, hyper-, or hypointense relative to brain tissue with T1-weighted sequences.