Evaluation of pituitary microadenomas with dynamic MR imaging

Eur J Radiol. 2002 Feb;41(2):131-5. doi: 10.1016/s0720-048x(01)00412-0.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the use of keyhole dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of women with borderline hyperprolactinemia.

Patients and methods: We investigated 30 patients (mean age 31.6+/-4.3 years) with moderate hyperprolactinemia and clinically suspected microadenomas on T1-weighted spin echo (SE) sequences (repetition time (TR)/echo time (TE) 625/15 ms) with keyhole dynamic imaging and contrast enhancement of the pituitary gland. The probability of lesion presence according to MR criteria was ranked on a five-grade scale and compared with standard examinations of the hypophysis before and after intravenous administration of contrast media.

Results: The probability for lesion presence showed a trend toward lower scores on standard SE sequences and higher scores with dynamic imaging (P=0.067).

Conclusion: Dynamic keyhole imaging of the pituitary gland could help establish a diagnosis of microadenomas with a higher probability.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / complications
  • Adenoma / diagnosis*
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperprolactinemia / diagnosis*
  • Hyperprolactinemia / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Pituitary Gland / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis*