[Diagnose pituitary adenoma using dynamic enhanced MRI: a quantitative approach]

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Pituitary adenomas are common tumors requiring accurate diagnosis.
• Conventional MRI methods have limitations in diagnosing pituitary adenomas.
• Quantitative Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) offers potential for improved diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic value of quantitative DCE-MRI analysis in pituitary adenoma.
• To compare the diagnostic efficacy of DCE-MRI parameters with conventional MRI methods.
• To assess the ability of DCE-MRI to differentiate between pituitary adenoma subtypes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 102 patients (67 microadenomas, 20 macroadenomas, 15 normal pituitaries).
• Routine and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI scans were performed.
• Quantitative analysis of permeability parameters: transfer rate (Ktrans), back flux rate (Kep), and fractional EES volume (Ve) using the Tofts model.

Main Results:

• Conventional MRI diagnosed 91.1% of pituitary adenomas.
• Ktrans and Kep values were significantly higher in normal pituitaries compared to microadenomas and macroadenomas (P < 0.05).
• Ktrans showed higher diagnostic efficacy than conventional MRI and could differentiate prolactinoma from somatotroph adenoma.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative DCE-MRI parameters, Ktrans and Kep, assist in diagnosing pituitary adenomas.
• Ktrans demonstrates superior diagnostic efficacy compared to conventional MRI.
• Ktrans can help differentiate specific secreting types of pituitary microadenomas.