Magnetic resonance imaging of intracranial cavernous angiomas: a report of 13 cases with pathological confirmation.

The magnetic resonance imaging features of 13 pathologically confirmed cavernous angiomas were retrospectively reviewed. T2-weighted images were found to be the most useful, the commonest appearance being a mixed signal intensity core with a complete peripheral rim of marked hypointensity. These appearances relate largely to various stages in the evolution of haemorrhage, although the presence of calcium and slowly flowing blood also contribute.