Brief Alert
CT vs. MRI for Colloid Cyst of the Third Ventricle
Source: Mamourian AC, et al. Colloid cyst of the third ventricle: Sometimes more conspicuous on CT than MR. Am J Neuroradiol 1998;19:875-878.
Although magnetic resonance imaging (mri) is usually superior to computerized tomography (CT) in demonstrating colloid cysts of the third ventricle, particularly when they are isointense on CT, these authors report two cases where the opposite was true. Both patients presented with headaches and underwent initial CT study that revealed the colloid cyst. However, on subsequent MRI for "better visualization," the tumor was difficult to detect or less evident. The authors suggest that hyperdense cysts on CT may appear isointense on MRI due to the composition of the cyst. They recommend special attention to T1 weighted images through the midline of the brain in suspected cases. When in doubt, CT is indicated.
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