Virtual non-contrast reconstructions improve differentiation between vascular enhancement and calcifications in stereotactic planning CT scans of cystic intracranial tumors

•VNC images enable a reliable iodine removal in blood vessels and brain parenchyma in stereotactic planning scans of cystic intracranial tumors.•VNC images increase diagnostic accuracy regarding the differentiation of vascular enhancement and wall calcifications of cystic intracranial tumors.•VNC images may provide an additional diagnostic benefit as compared to conventional images in stereotactic planning scans of cystic intracranial tumors.