Prolactin-secreting pituitary microadenomas: inaccuracy of high-resolution CT imaging

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1984 · AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.144.1.151· OSTI ID:5871010

Davis, P C; Hoffman, Jr, J C; Tindall, G T; Braun, I F

Computed tomographic (CT) and surgical findings were correlated retrospectively in 51 patients with preoperative diagnoses of prolactin-secreting pituitary microadenomas. Thirty-nine had microadenomas at surgery. Twenty-three had identifiable discrete lesions. Of these, 21 had microadenomas and two did not; these two groups could not be distinguished reliably. Six patients with proven microadenomas had normal CT scans. Focal hypodense lesions, sellar floor erosion, infundibulum displacement, gland height greater than 8 mm, and an abnormal diaphragma sellae configuration are neither sensitive nor specific findings or microadenoma. A significant number of patients with proven microadenomas has few or none of these abnormalities. Thus, recognition of prolactin microadenoma may not be possible by CT alone, even with high-resolution direct coronal imaging.

• Research Organization: Emory Univ. School of Medicine and Emory Clinic, Atlanta, GA
• OSTI ID: 5871010
• Journal Information: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Journal Name: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States) Vol. 144:1; ISSN AAJRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ADENOMAS
BODY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
GONADOTROPINS
HORMONES
LTH
MEDICINE
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PITUITARY GLAND
PITUITARY HORMONES
SURGERY
TOMOGRAPHY