RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 MR imaging of prolactin-secreting microadenomas.
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 209
OP 213
VO 7
IS 2
A1 Pojunas, K W
A1 Daniels, D L
A1 Williams, A L
A1 Haughton, V M
YR 1986
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/7/2/209.abstract
AB 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.