Suprasellar cavernous haemangioma: an important differential diagnosis in the diencephalic tumours

We present three cases of suprasellar cavernous haemangioma with characteristic high-field MRI features. Clinical, CT and MRI data were retrospectively analysed. The patients had progressive neurological, endocrinological and visual complaints. In the three cases CT revealed a high-density suprasellar mass. In all cases the combination of a reticulated core of mized signal intensity with a surrounding rim of decreased signal on T1- and T2-weighted MRI scans suggested the presence of a cavernous haemangioma. Two patients underwent surgical biopsy after their first MRI examination. Cavernous haemangiomas located in the suprasellar area may show typical MRI features.