A retrospective analysis on the MRI findings of 24 pathologically contirmed craniopharyngiomas was performed with emphasis on signal intensity of cystic portion and its chemical components. Axial, and coronal MR scans were ontained, and in six patients, post-contrast study was done with Gadopentetate Dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA). in 14 cystic portions were aspirated to correlate the amount of chemical components such as calcium, glucose, protein, cholesterol, lipid, and iron with the signal intensity. CT scans were also performed in 20 patients. In eight cases, tumors extended to subfrontal, third ventricle, and retrosellar area the extensions were well demonstrated in sagittal and coronal images. The signal intensity of cystic lesions on T2WI were variable but tended to be higher in high protein and iron contents. Calcifications were present in 20 cases and out of these, MRI detected calcification as very low signal intensity or signal void on T1WI and T2WI in 12 cases. Multiplanar imaging of MRI was very useful for the evaluation of tumor extension and the signal intensity of the cystic lesion teded to be higher on T1WI when the contents had high protein or iron components.