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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Scanning Dos and Don'ts: Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Awake Children Aged 3 to 5 Years to Assess Brain Structure and Function
Published on: March 10, 2026
[Optimized diagnostic performance of brain magnetic resonance imaging in children with idiopathic growth hormone
1Zakład Diagnostyki Obrazowej i Radiologii Interwencyjnej Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) effectively detects pituitary gland changes in children with short stature. However, contrast agents may be unnecessary for idiopathic growth hormone deficiency, except in specific cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Short stature in children can be linked to pituitary gland abnormalities.
- Accurate diagnosis requires detailed assessment of pituitary structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate correlations between anatomical pituitary changes and hormonal disturbances in children experiencing short stature.
- To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing the causes of short stature.
Main Methods:
- MRI of the pituitary gland was performed on 87 children with short stature meeting criteria for growth hormone deficiency.
- Pituitary dimensions were measured and compared to established normal values.
- Contrast agents (GdDTPA) were used to visualize the pituitary gland and surrounding structures.
Main Results:
- MRI is highly sensitive in identifying pituitary gland alterations, though detected changes may be infrequent.
- Pituitary volume and height were found to be the most diagnostically significant parameters.
- Contrast agents can potentially be omitted in cases of idiopathic growth hormone deficiency to reduce costs, except in specific pathologies.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic resonance imaging is a valuable tool for evaluating pituitary gland anatomy in children with short stature.
- Selective use of contrast agents can optimize diagnostic cost-effectiveness.
- Pituitary volume and height are key indicators for diagnosis in pediatric short stature.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to search for correlations between anatomic changes in the pituitary gland and hormonal disturbances in children with short stature.
Material And Methods:
Children with short stature were enrolled when criteria of pituitary growth hormone deficiency were partly or completely met. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 87 children and particular attention was given to the pituitary gland. Measurements were compared with pituitary dimensions accepted as normal in the literature. Contrast with GdDTPA was used to visualize the pituitary gland and associated structures (stalk, infundibulum). T1-weighted images in the sagittal and coronal planes were obtained. The results were statistically analyzed with non-parametric tests.
Conclusions:
1. Magnetic resonance imaging is a very sensitive method for detecting changes in the pituitary gland and may well be recommended as a method of choice even though the percentage of changes detected with it is rather small. 2. The use of contrast agent may be abandoned to limit costs when searching for cause of growth deficit in children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency, save for the following cases: hypoplasia or aplasia of the pituitary gland, transection of the stalk, empty sella syndrome or tumor in the central nervous system. 3. Pituitary volume and height appear to be of greatest diagnostic significance, while width (which varies little) can serve as an auxiliary parameter.
