Pituitary computed tomography: is contrast enhancement necessary?

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Hyperprolactinaemia is a common endocrine disorder.
• Pituitary imaging is crucial for diagnosing the cause.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the necessity of contrast medium in CT scans for hyperprolactinaemia.
• To determine if contrast enhancement improves visualization of pituitary structures and tumors.

Main Methods:

• Direct coronal CT scans of the pituitary fossa were performed on 25 patients with hyperprolactinaemia.
• Scans were analyzed before and after intravenous contrast administration.
• Pituitary dimensions, contour, and visibility of surrounding structures were assessed.

Main Results:

• Contrast administration showed no significant difference in pituitary measurements or tumor detection.
• Visibility of the infundibulum and hypothalamus remained unchanged.
• Optic chiasm visibility showed inconsistent improvement post-enhancement.

Conclusions:

• Routine intravenous contrast medium is unnecessary for investigating moderate hyperprolactinaemia.
• Unenhanced CT scans are sufficient for evaluating pituitary fossa in these patients.