Skull base tumors: evaluation with contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE sequence

The purpose of this study is to assess the value of contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE sequence for evaluation of skull base tumors. A total of 36 patients were prospectively evaluated. MP-RAGE showed relatively higher CNRs than other sequences, and there was a significant difference of CNR between the MP-RAGE and contrast T1-weighted SE images when fat tissue was chosen as the background. MP-RAGE was significantly superior to other sequences in the diagnosis of the extent of tumors. Contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE sequence is useful in evaluation of skull base tumors because of its higher contrast, higher spatial resolution, multiplanar capability, and suppression of the fat signal.