Diagnostic value of CT cisternography with intrathecal metrizamide enhancement, comparison with isotope cisternography.

Metrizamide CT cisternography (CTC) was performed for the evaluation of CSF dynamics and the diagnosis of skull-base tumors. Results of CTC in 52 cases examined for the study of CSF dynamics correlated well with those of isotope cisternography. However, the degree and duration of ventricular stasis of metrizamide and its transition into a periventricular low-density area in hydrocephalus were recognized more accurately in CTC. Twenty out of 23 cases with suspected skull-base tumor were diagnosed as positive and confirmed by operation. CTC was especially useful in parasellar, CP angle, and other posterior fossa tumors.