Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Sellar, Parasellar and Suprasellar Lesions

Abstract

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now widely available, and considerable body of experience
has been accumulated in using it to evaluate this region. MRI is now accepted as the imaging procedure of choice
in the evaluation of sellar and parasellar pathology.The aims and objectives are to know the characteristic MRI
features of the sellar, parasellar and suprasellar lesions and to describe the incidence of the various lesions and
their age and sex distribution in the study population.
Methodology: Prospective study of 30 patients referred for imaging having clinical features raising suspicion of
sellar, parasellar and suprasellar lesions. They underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain-sella using
1.5 TESLA PHILIPS ACHIEVA MRI MACHINE in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, KIMS & RF, Amalapuram.
Results: Out of 30 cases 4 cases were pituitary macroadenoma, 3 cases each of pituitary microadenoma,
craniopharyngioma, meningioma and aneurysm. 2 cases of each hypothalamic hamartoma, Pituitary colloid
cyst, Rathke’s cleft cyst, Arachnoid cyst and primary empty sella were found. And 1 case of each Suprasellar
tuberculoma, Trigeminal schwannoma, Suprasellar retinoblastoma and PNS rhabdomyosarcoma were found.
Conclusion: MR imaging characteristics of the most common lesions like pituitary macroadenoma, microadenoma,
craniopharyngioma, meningioma and aneurysm were sufficiently distinct to allow them to be differentiated
from each other and from most other entities. Other characteristics such as extrasellar versus intrasellar location,
nature of contrast material enhancement, the presence of cystic components, and clinical findings permit further
differentiation among the various other abnormalities. The superior resolution and multiplanar capacity of MR
imaging best depicts the extent of sellar, parasellar and suprasellar lesions