Modern imaging in Cushing's disease

Management of Cushing's disease is informed by dedicated imaging of the sella and parasellar regions. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the investigation of choice, a significant proportion (30-50%) of corticotroph tumours are so small as to render MRI indeterminate or negative when using standard clinical sequences. In this context, alternative MR protocols [e.g. 3D gradient (recalled) echo, with acquisition of volumetric data] may allow detection of tumors that have not been previously visualized. The use of hybrid molecular imaging (e.g. ¹¹C-methionine positron emission tomography coregistered with volumetric MRI) has also been proposed as an additional modality for localizing microadenomas.