Prolactinoma CT: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
A '''prolactinoma''' is a [[benign]] [[tumor]] ([[adenoma]]) of the '''[[pituitary gland]]''' that produces a [[hormone]] called [[prolactin]]. It is the most common type of [[pituitary tumor]]. Symptoms of prolactinoma are caused by too much prolactin in the blood ([[hyperprolactinemia]]) or by pressure of the tumor on surrounding tissues. | A '''prolactinoma''' is a [[benign]] [[tumor]] ([[adenoma]]) of the '''[[pituitary gland]]''' that produces a [[hormone]] called [[prolactin]]. It is the most common type of [[pituitary tumor]]. Symptoms of prolactinoma are caused by too much prolactin in the blood ([[hyperprolactinemia]]) or by pressure of the tumor on surrounding tissues. | ||
==CT scan== | |||
A doctor will test for prolactin blood levels in women with unexplained milk secretion ([[galactorrhea]]) or irregular [[menses]] or [[infertility]], and in men with impaired sexual function and, in rare cases, milk secretion. If prolactin is high, a doctor will test [[thyroid]] function and ask first about other conditions and medications known to raise prolactin secretion. The doctor will also request a magnetic resonance imaging ([[MRI]]), which is the most sensitive test for detecting pituitary tumors and determining their size. [[MRI]] scans may be repeated periodically to assess tumor progression and the effects of therapy. [[Computed Tomography]] (CT scan) also gives an image of the pituitary, but it is less sensitive than the MRI. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 19:28, 21 January 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Prolactinoma Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Prolactinoma CT On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Prolactinoma CT |
Overview
A prolactinoma is a benign tumor (adenoma) of the pituitary gland that produces a hormone called prolactin. It is the most common type of pituitary tumor. Symptoms of prolactinoma are caused by too much prolactin in the blood (hyperprolactinemia) or by pressure of the tumor on surrounding tissues.
CT scan
A doctor will test for prolactin blood levels in women with unexplained milk secretion (galactorrhea) or irregular menses or infertility, and in men with impaired sexual function and, in rare cases, milk secretion. If prolactin is high, a doctor will test thyroid function and ask first about other conditions and medications known to raise prolactin secretion. The doctor will also request a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is the most sensitive test for detecting pituitary tumors and determining their size. MRI scans may be repeated periodically to assess tumor progression and the effects of therapy. Computed Tomography (CT scan) also gives an image of the pituitary, but it is less sensitive than the MRI.