DYNAMIC MR IMAGING IN THE DETECTION OF PITUITARY MICROADENOMA

Objective: In this study our purpose was to compare efficiency in detecting microadenoma between conventional unenhanced MRI and contrast-enhanced MRI with dynamic fast spin- echo method.Methods: Thirty-two patients with suspected pituitary microadenoma had unenhanced, dynamic fast spin-echo contrast enhanced and conventional contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the pituitary gland. All MR studies were reviewed for the presence or absence of any pituitary focal pathological intensity consistent with microadenoma.Result: A pituitary lesion consistent inappearance with a microadenoma was detected on dynamic fast spin-echo images in 17 of the 32 patients, on unenhanced images in 8 patients, and on conventional contrast-enhanced images in 11 patients.Conclusion: Dynamic fast spin-echo imaging is a useful supplemental sequence in patients undergoing MR imaging because of pituitary endochrinopathy. It may show lesions that might otherwise escape detection.Key Words: Magnetic resonance imaging, Pituitary microadenoma, Dynamic MRI

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