Evaluation of pituitary adenomas by multidirectional multislice dynamic CT.
OBJECTIVE
Multidetector-row CT is a new technology with a short scanning time. Multislice dynamic CT (MSDCT) in various directions can be obtained using the multidetector-row CT with multiplanar reformatting (MPR) technique.


METHODS
We evaluated the initial results of sagittal and coronal MSDCT images reconstructed by MPR (MSDCT-MPR) in 3 pituitary adenoma patients with a pacemaker.


RESULTS
In a patient with microadenoma, the maximum contrast between the normal anterior pituitary gland and the adenoma occurred approximately 50 s after the start of the contrast medium injection. A microadenoma was depicted as a less enhanced area relative to normal pituitary tissue. The macroadenomas were depicted as a less enhanced mass with cavernous sinus invasion in 1 patient and as a non-uniformly enhanced mass in another patient. Bone destruction and incomplete opening of the sellar floor during previous surgery were clearly detected in 2 patients with macroadenomas. These pituitary adenomas were removed via the transnasal route based on information from the MSDCT-MPR images only. The findings were verified surgically.


CONCLUSIONS
The MSDCT-MPR provided the information needed for surgery with good image quality in the 3 patients with pacemakers. MSDCT-MPR appears to be a useful technique for patients with a pituitary adenoma in whom MR imaging is not available. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of the MSDCT-MPR technique being used to demonstrate pituitary disorders.
Abe
T
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Izumiyama
H
H
Fujisawa
I
I
D000236:Adenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone