J Korean Radiol Soc.  1993 Dec;29(6):1128-1133.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary adenoma: analysis of the enhancement patterns

• Yang I
• Choi WS
• Shin IS
• Ryu KN
• Yoon Y

Abstract

The magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 30 patients with surgically or biochemically confirmed pituitary adenomas (20 macroadenomas, 10 microadenomas) were retrospectively evaluated. Ten patients had hyperprolactinemia, another eight had acromegaly, another eight had nonfunctioning adenoma and four had Cashing disease. The examination were performed at a 1.5-T superconducting MR system using a multisection spin-echo technique with 3mm-thick sections and a 256×224 matrix. TI weighted sagittal and coronal images were obtained before and within 30 minutes after the administration of Gd-DTPA (0.1mmol/kg). Analysis of the MRI was focused on the signal intensity and enhamcement patterns of the pituitary adenoma before and after Gd-DTPA administration. Compared with endocrinologic diagnosis, macroadenoma showed heterogeneous enhacement in 55%, rim enhancement in 35% and homogeneous enhancement in 10%, Conclusively, the enhancement patterns of the pituitary adenoma did not correlate with the subtypes made according to hormone production.

MeSH Terms

Acromegaly
Adenoma
Diagnosis
Gadolinium DTPA
Humans
Hyperprolactinemia
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Pituitary Neoplasms*
Retrospective Studies
Gadolinium DTPA