Summary
Ten patients with biochemical evidence of a hormonally active pituitary adenoma were examined by dynamic contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) and then by pre and post Gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Excluding one false positive case, CT and unenhanced MRI were comparable in the detection of microadenoma. Post Gd-DTPA examination gave more clear evidence of the actual adenoma in two patients and aided in the demonstration of a third. However, in two others all imaging techniques failed to demonstrate the microadenoma subsequently found at surgery. On the post enhancement MRI it was easier to assess the relationship of a tumour to the cavernous sinus and to visualise the relationships of the parasellar carotid arteries.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Davis PC, Hoffman JC, Malko JA, Tindall GT, Taker T, Avruch L, Braun IF (1987) Gadolinium-DTPA and MR imaging of pituitary adenoma: a preliminary report. AJNR 8:817–823
Pojunas KW, Daniels DL, Williams AL, Haughton VM (1986) MR imaging of prolactin-secreting microadenomas. AJNR 7: 209–213
Davis PC, Hoffman JC, Spencer T, Tindall GT, Braun IF (1987) MR imaging of pituitary adenoma: CT, clinical and surgical correlation. AJNR 8:107–112
Kulkarni MV, Lee KF, McArdle CB, Yeakley JW, Haar FL (1988) 1.5-T MR imaging of pituitary microadenomas: technical considerations and CT correlation. AJNR 9:5–11
Kilgore DP, Breger RK, Daniels DL, Pojunas KW, Williams AL, Haughton VM (1986) Cranial tissues: normal MR appearance after intravenous injection of Gd-DTPA. Radiology 160: 757–761
Dwyer AJ, Frank JA, Doppman JL, Oldfield EH, Hickey AM, Cutler GB, Loriaux DL, Schiable TF (1987) Pituitary adenomas in patients with Cushing's Disease: initial experience with Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging. Radiology 163:421–426
Doppman JL, Frank JA, Dwyer AJ, Oldfield EH, Miller DL, Nieman LK, Chrousos GP, Cutler GB Jr, Loriaux DL (1988) Gadolinium DTPA enhanced MR imaging of ACTH-secreting microadenomas of the pituitary gland. JCAT 12:728–735
Teasdale E, Teasdale G, Mohsen F, Macpherson P (1986) High-resolution computed tomography in pituitary microadenoma: is seeing believing. Clin Radiol 37:227–232
Scotti G, Yu CY, Dillon WP, Norman D, Colombo N, Newton TH, de Groot J, Wilson CB (1988) MR imaging of cavernous sinus involvement by pituitary adenomas. AJNR 9:657–664
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Macpherson, P., Hadley, D.M., Teasdale, E. et al. Pituitary microadenomas. Neuroradiology 31, 293–298 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344169
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344169