American Journal of Neuroradiology, Vol 7, Issue 2 209-213, Copyright © 1986 by American Society of Neuroradiology
ARTICLES |
MR imaging of prolactin-secreting microadenomas
KW Pojunas, DL Daniels, AL Williams and VM Haughton
Eight proven and three presumed prolactin-secreting microadenomas were studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. All 11 cases had CT evidence of a tumor. Technical factors for MR included use of 1.3-1.5 T MR systems, 3 mm slice thickness, short repetition time (TR) (T1- weighted) and long TR (T2-weighted) spin-echo pulse sequences. Six microadenomas were demonstrated with MR. Four tumors had a long T1 and long T2, one had a long T1 and short T2, and one bromocriptine-treated tumor had a short T1 and short T2. MR failed to delineate the focal mass within the pituitary gland in the other five patients. The cause of the MR failures was not determined; however, tumor size did not appear to be a factor. MR signals arising from microadenomas are variable and possibly related to the activity of the prolactin- secreting cells. Correlation of findings from MR imaging, spectroscopy, and electron microscopy may lead to an understanding of the variable MR appearance of microadenomas.
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