[Thin-section CT scan of the pituitary gland (author's transl)]

Topographic anatomy of the pituitary fossa was studied by 2 mm thin-section CT scan (Somatom II). Nineteen with normal pituitary (control group) and 20 with suspected pituitary abnormality were selected. Plain and contrast CT were performed in all cases. Contrast CT was carried out immediately after the rapid infusion of 220 ml of 30% iodinated contrast medium. In all of control group but two, pituitary gland was detected as homogenous density and its density was as same as density of normal brain tissues, and was enhanced in degree of about 25 CT number. In 2 cases, small low density was visualized in the pituitary gland. Pituitary gland was differentiated from cavernous sinus was usually higher than the pituitary gland. In abnormal group, the microadenoma of the pituitary gland was diagnosed in 5 cases and 3 out of 5 cases was proved by surgery. All 3 microadenomas proved slightly dense by plain CT and enhanced higher than normal pituitary gland by contrast CT. Polytomograms showed no abnormality of the sella turcica in one of these 3 cases. Although 3 microadenomas were detected by the abnormal enhancement, we are not sure whether all of microadenoma can be detected by CT alone. Arachnoid herniation into the pituitary fossa was diagnosed in 7 of control group and 2 of abnormal group. Four out of these 9 cases were verified by using Metrizamide CT. By plain thin-section CT, the diagnosis of arachnoid herniation seems to be possible without Metrizamide CT.