Novel Imaging Modalities in the Evaluation of Patients with Pituitary Adenomas

Accurate tumor localization is essential for optimal treatment planning in patients with pituitary adenomas. Recent advances in MRI allow improved detection of sites of de novo and residual disease and can also provide improved visualization of adjacent critical structures such as those contained within the cavernous sinus. Molecular imaging (PET) is increasingly used either to confirm or exclude functional activity in lesions identified on MRI or to reveal previously unsuspected tumor foci. As more centers adopt these and other emerging techniques (eg, photon-counting detector computed tomography), an increasing number of patients are likely to benefit from more precise, personalized management strategies.