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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Imaging of the pituitary.
Tao Ouyang1, William E Rothfus, Jason M Ng
1Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, H066, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. touyang@hmc.psu.edu
Radiologic Clinics of North America
|May 17, 2011
Summary
This review covers pituitary imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), detailing normal anatomy, common pathologies, and potential diagnostic errors for better clinical management.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Pituitary imaging is crucial for diagnosing conditions like hyperfunction, hypofunction, visual field deficits, and cranial nerve palsies.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the primary modality for evaluating the pituitary gland and its surrounding structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the normal appearance of the pituitary gland and adjacent structures on MRI.
- To discuss typical and variant presentations of pituitary pathologies, including adenomas and their invasion into surrounding structures.
- To illustrate adenoma mimics and other entities affecting the pituitary or third ventricle.
Main Methods:
- Review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.
- Discussion of common pituitary pathologies and their imaging characteristics.
- Illustration of surgical considerations such as cavernous sinus invasion and suprasellar spread.
Main Results:
- Detailed description of normal pituitary gland anatomy on MRI.
- Presentation of imaging features for various pituitary adenomas and other lesions.
- Examples of secondary pituitary dysfunction and common interpretation errors.
Conclusions:
- Accurate interpretation of pituitary MRI is essential for appropriate clinical management.
- Understanding adenoma invasion and mimics aids surgical planning.
- Familiarity with variant appearances and secondary effects improves diagnostic accuracy.
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