Diagnosis of intracranial cavernous heman- gioma using imaging techniques

Objective To investigate value of CT, MRI, and MRA in diagnosis of intracranial cavernous hemangioma. Methods 26 patients with intracranial cavernous hemangioma proved by pathologic examination were retrospectively reviewed. 16 pa- tients underwent CT scan, 23 underwent MRI and 12 underwent MRA. Results All lesions were situated anywhere inside brain. Single lesion was frequent, without or with slight edema around edema. MRI T2WI showed mulberry-like mixed hyperintensity, surrounded by hypointensity and free from being enhanced after contrast-enhancement. MRA did not show abnormal blood vessels. Plain scan of CT showed slight hyperintensity. Conclusion Intracranial cavernous hemangioma has characteristic manifestations on MRI. A combined usage of MRI, MRA and CT helps to confirm diagnosis. MRI is superior to CT in diagnosis of intracranial cavernous hemangioma.