Pituitary microadenomas. Does Gadolinium enhance their demonstration?
Ten patients with biochemical evidence of a hormonally active pituitary adenoma were examined by dynamic contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) and then by pre and post Gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Excluding one false positive case, CT and unenhanced MRI were comparable in the detection of microadenoma. Post Gd-DTPA examination gave more clear evidence of the actual adenoma in two patients and aided in the demonstration of a third. However, in two others all imaging techniques failed to demonstrate the microadenoma subsequently found at surgery. On the post enhancement MRI it was easier to assess the relationship of a tumour to the cavernous sinus and to visualise the relationships of the parasellar carotid arteries.
Macpherson
P
P
Department of Neuroradiology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland.
Hadley
D M
DM
Teasdale
E
E
Teasdale
G
G
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D004338:Drug Combinations; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA