We retrospectively analyzed the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings of 11 lesions of histologically verfied intracranial cavernous hemangiomas in 10 patients and compared the MRI and CT findings in 6 patients. The locations of the tumor were the cerebral subcortical white matter(5 lesions), periventricular white matter(3 lesions), and others(3 lesions). The size of the lesions ranged from 1.0 to 6.0cm in diameter. On MRI the central portion revealed multicompartments(10 lesions) with irregular border(7 lesions), the signal intensity of which consisted of a mixture of various intensities suggesting the presence of hematomas in different stages(10 lesions). A peripheral black rim representing hemosiderin deposition was observed in 10 lesions, which appeared more hypartially circumferential(6 lesions), completely circumferential(2 lesions), and eccentric(2 lesions). The border of the black rim was well circumscribed(5 lesions), smudgy(4 lesions), or mixed(1 lesion). Its thickness varied, ranging from Omm to 12mm. The central portion was enhanced slightly in 4 lesions and moderately in 1 lesion on Gd-DTPA enhanced study in 6 patients. The CT density of the lesion was hyperdence in 5 lesions and mixed hyper and hypodense in 2 lesions. The hyperdense and hypodense areas on CT corresponded to the multicompartmented portions with mixed signal intensity on MRI, representing hemorrhages of different stages. The CT density of the black rim seen on MRI was usually isodense with the brain parenchyme(6 lesions).