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Published on: January 17, 2018
Imaging the pituitary and parasellar region
Christopher P Hess1, William P Dillon
1Neuroradiology Division, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0628, USA. christopher.hess@ucsf.edu
Neurosurgery Clinics of North America
|October 9, 2012
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is key for evaluating pituitary and infundibulum lesions. Accurate diagnosis relies on assessing lesion location, appearance, and clinical context for neurosurgical practice.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Pituitary and infundibulum lesions require precise evaluation.
- Understanding the origin of abnormalities (pituitary, embryologic, or surrounding tissues) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the radiologic evaluation of sellar and suprasellar lesions.
- To focus on common masses and pseudomasses encountered by neurosurgeons.
Main Methods:
- Review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.
- Correlation of imaging appearance with lesion location and clinical presentation.
Main Results:
- MRI is the fundamental imaging tool for these lesions.
- Accurate diagnosis depends on comprehensive assessment.
Conclusions:
- This review aids neurosurgeons in identifying common pituitary and sellar region masses.
- Radiologic evaluation is essential for effective clinical management.
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01:17The Pituitary Gland
The pituitary is a small endocrine organ in the sphenoid bone under the hypothalamus. Primarily, the pituitary in adults has two distinct anatomical and functional regions— the anterior and posterior lobes. During human fetal development, a third pituitary gland region called the pars intermedia atrophies and disappears. However, some of its cells migrate and exist adjacent to the anterior pituitary in adults.
01:14Brain Imaging
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These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
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