Visualization of incidentally imaged pituitary gland on three-dimensional arterial spin labeling of the brain

To evaluate the visualization of incidentally imaged normal pituitary gland on three-dimensional (3D) pseudo continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) perfusion imaging of the brain.

Ninety-three patients with a normal pituitary gland who underwent 3D PCASL for suspected brain diseases were retrospectively included. Visualization of the pituitary gland on PCASL cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps was assessed independently by two observers using a three-point grading system: Grade 1, pituitary CBF ≤ CBF of the cerebral white matter (WM); Grade 2, CBF of WM < pituitary CBF ≤ CBF of the cortical gray matter (GM); and Grade 3, CBF of GM < pituitary CBF. The interobserver agreement of visual grading was determined using weighted κ statistic. The associations of visual grades with age, sex, and pituitary volume were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Pituitary glands were divided equally into three groups (small, medium, and large) according to their volume for categorization.

The interobserver agreement for visual rating was excellent (weighted κ = 0.823). Of the 93 cases, Grades 1, 2, and 3 included 17 (18.3%), 41 (44.1%), and 35 cases (37.6%), respectively. Medium and large pituitary volume were significantly associated with Grade 3 visualization (p = 0.0153, OR = 4.8323; 95% CI: 1.3525, 17.2649 and p = 0.0009; OR = 9.0299; 95% CI: 2.4663, 33.0614, respectively), whereas there was no significant association for age or sex.

The normal pituitary gland is often visualized with higher CBF than cortical GM on 3D PCASL, especially in individuals with larger pituitary volume.

Appearance of the normal pituitary gland on 3D PCASL has been documented for the first time.