Computed tomographic diagnosis of suprasellar masses by intrathecal enhancement

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