[Imaging of pituitary adenoma]

Direct visualization of pituitary parenchyma and lesions has been made possible by progress in imaging. CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging, which has become the imaging method of choice in pituitary diseases, allow detection of 2 to 3 mm pituitary microadenomas, with a sensitivity of 60 and 85% respectively. The ability to establish the extent of the tumor using these techniques has made them indispensable to preoperative assessment of macroadenomas. Nevertheless, cavernous sinus involvement is often difficult to evaluate, and the smallest adenomas still escape detection.