Biplane CT in sellar and parasellar tumors, (1)

In the present investigation, twenty cases of sellar and parasellar tumors were investigated by means of biplane CT, and the results obtained by CT were confirmed by subsequent operation. Almost all biplane CT images were taken in slices 1.0 cm thick. Biplane CT, the combination of axial and coronal CT, provided more precise informations on the location, extent, and attachment of the tumors in terms of both transverse and vertical (coronal) planes. In all eleven cases with chromorphobe adenoma, the findings obtained by biplane CT demonstrated precisely and clearly the location and extent of the tumors, even in the intrasellar region, and also the relationship between the tumor and the suprasellar cistern, hypothalamus, IIIrd or lateral ventricle, temporal lobe, nasopharyngial region, and base of the skull. Coronal scans usually provided much more information concerning the intrasellar, suprasellar, temporal, and nasopharyngial extensions of the tumors than those by conventional axial scans alone. PEG was not necessary for obtaining further informations of the tumors. In all seven cases with craniopharyngioma, the location, extent, and relationship with the neighboring structures of the tumors were precisely and clearly demonstrated by using the biplane CT. In the two cases of meningioma, the biplane visualization demonstrated apparently the extent and attachment of the tumors. It is concluded that this technique, biplane CT, seems to be very reliable for the diagnosis of sellar and parasellar tumors and therefore, helpful for determining surgical procedures, and that PEG may not be necessary for obtaining further informations on sellar and parasellar tumors. (author)