Gd-DTPA in the evaluation of the normal and adnormal cavernous sinus

This paper reports on Gd-DTPA used in the evaluation of normal and abnormal cavernous sinus anatomy. Twenty-five normal subjects and 11 patients with cavernous sinus invasion were studied before Gd-DTPA enhancement. Normal studies were assessed for the conspicuity of the dural margins, the trigeminal cistern, and intracavernous and exiting cranial nerves. Contrast medium enhancement improved deductibility of the medical cavernous sinus margin (68% vs 38% on precontrast images) and intracavernous cranial nerves. Cranial nerves were inconsistently seen even on postcontrast images (cranial nerve III, 88%; v1, 36%, V2, 38%). On the abnormal images, contrast enhancement was beneficial in defining the relationship of tumor to parasellar structures, egress of tumor through bony foramina, and compression of the trigeminal cistern