Pituitary adenoma MRI

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [2]

Overview

On brain MRI, pituitary adenoma is characterized by a large mass with heterogeneous signal. Other findings may include remodeling of the floor of the sella and deviation of the pituitary infundibulum to the opposite side.

MRI Findings in Pituitary Adenoma

Microadenoma

  • MRI is the mainstay of imaging for pituitary microadenomas
  • Contrast enhanced MRIs have a sensitivity of 90%.[1]
  • Subtle morphology changes can be identified on non-contrast images, these changes include:
  • Remodeling of the floor of the sella
  • Deviation of the pituitary infundibulum away from the adenoma

MRI Phases

  • T1
  • T1 is usually shows isointense to normal pituitary gland.
  • T1 C+ (Gd)
  • Dynamic sequences demonstrate a rounded region of delayed enhancement compared to the rest of the gland.
  • Delayed images are variable, ranging from hypo-enhancement (most common) to isointense to the rest of the gland, to hyperintense (retained contrast).
  • T2
  • T2 is variable, but often shows a little hyperintensity.

Patient #1: Pituitary mircoadenoma

  • Pituitary microadenoma on T1.[2]

    Pituitary microadenoma on T1.[2]

  • Pituitary microadenoma on T2.[2]

    Pituitary microadenoma on T2.[2]

  • Pituitary microadenoma on T1.[2]

    Pituitary microadenoma on T1.[2]

  • Pituitary microadenoma on T2.[2]

    Pituitary microadenoma on T2.[2]

Patient #2: Pituitary mircoadenoma

  • T1 C+ demonstrating a pituitary microadenoma, seen as a rounded expansion of the gland to the right of the midline slightly displacing the stalk to the left. On post contrast images it enhances less than the surrounding pituitary. [3]

    T1 C+ demonstrating a pituitary microadenoma, seen as a rounded expansion of the gland to the right of the midline slightly displacing the stalk to the left. On post contrast images it enhances less than the surrounding pituitary. [3]

Macroadenoma[4]

MRI Phases

  • T1
  • T1 typically isointense to grey matter
  • T1 C+ (Gd)
  • A solid component demonstrates moderate to bright enhancement.
  • T2
  • T2 typically isointense to grey matter
  • Larger lesions are often heterogeneous and vary in signal due to areas of cystic change, necrosis, or haemorrhage.
  • T2 gradient echo parameters
  • Most sensitive for detecting any haemorrhagic components, which appear as areas of signal loss.
  • Calcification is rare, but should be excluded by reviewing CT scans.

Patient #1: Pituitary macroadenoma

  • There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion is homogeneous and isodense on T1.[5]

    There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion is homogeneous and isodense on T1.[5]

  • There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion shows homogeneous contrast enhancement.[5]

    There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion shows homogeneous contrast enhancement.[5]

  • There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion is homogeneous and isodense on T1.[5]

    There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion is homogeneous and isodense on T1.[5]

  • There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion is slightly hyperintense on axial FLAIR.[5]

    There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion is slightly hyperintense on axial FLAIR.[5]

  • There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion is homogeneous and isodense on T2.[5]

    There is a well defined round lesion noted in the pituitary fossa, the lesion is homogeneous and isodense on T2.[5]

Patient #2: Pituitary marcoadenoma

  • There is a well defined homogeneously enhancing lesion in the pituitary fossa on Sagittal T1 C+ suggestive of pituitary adenoma.[5]

    There is a well defined homogeneously enhancing lesion in the pituitary fossa on Sagittal T1 C+ suggestive of pituitary adenoma.[5]

  • There is a well defined homogeneously enhancing lesion in the pituitary fossa on Axial T1 C+ suggestive of pituitary adenoma.[5]

    There is a well defined homogeneously enhancing lesion in the pituitary fossa on Axial T1 C+ suggestive of pituitary adenoma.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Pituitary Macroadenoma. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/pituitary-macroadenoma-1. URL Accessed on 9 30, 2015
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Image courtesy of Dr Hani Al Salam. Radiopaedia(original file ‘’here’’).Creative Commons BY-SA-NC
  3. ↑ Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gairllard. Radiopaedia(original file ‘’here’’).Creative Commons BY-SA-NC
  4. ↑ Pituitary Microadenoma. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/pituitary-microadenoma. URL Accessed on 9 30, 2015
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Case contributed by Radswiki Radiopaedia(original file ‘’here’’).Creative Commons BY-SA-NC
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