Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluation of Pituitary Adenomas

Abstract

Introduction: Pituitary adenoma often presents with non specific symptoms like headache; Dynamic contrast MRI is important not only in confirming the diagnosis but it also provides information which helps to plan surgical treatment and to evaluate response to medical treatment. Aim: To evaluate role of MRI in diagnosis of pituitary adenoma. Materials and Methods: A prospective case series study on 85 patients with pituitary lesions was conducted at the Department of Radio-diagnosis in a tertiary care hospital in Goa (Goa Medical College) over a period of 3 years using 1.5 Tesla unit- Magnetom Avanto, Siemens unit, by using a head matrix coil. Results: Dynamic contrast enhanced imaging played a crucial role in accurate localization of hormone secreting microadenomas. MRI precisely assessed the invasion of cavernous sinus by macroadenomas on contrast enhanced imaging. Conclusion: MRI is undoubtedly an indispensible tool to evaluate hypothalamic-pituitary related endocrine disease. In addition to providing a diagnosis, MRI also helps to plan surgical strategies due to its ability to provide multiplanar information about the anatomical relationship of the gland with adjacent structures. MRI is also a modality of choice for follow-up imaging in order to evaluate response to conservative treatment as well as in post operative cases to detect residual lesions / recurrence.

Keywords

• dynamic imaging
• pituitary gland dysfunction
• pituitary macro/microadenoma