New Progress in Imaging of Pituitary Diseases

Abstract

In the last 20 years, there have been advances in imaging techniques for pituitary diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) particularly presents high-quality structural images and the essential information needed to authorize surgery, radiation therapy, and/or drug therapy. These images can assist in monitoring long-term outcomes. Recent technological advances, such as the advent of 7-Tesla MRI, have been used for measuring tumor consistency in pituitary adenomas. Microadenomas and other pituitary incidentaloma have been more recognized in the presence of golden-angle radial sparse parallel imaging and conventional dynamic contrast-enhanced techniques. However, standard structural (anatomical) imaging, mainly in the form of MRI, acts inadequately to identify all tumors, especially microadenomas (< 1 cm diameter), recurrent adenomas, and several incidentalomas. In this respect, nuclear isotope (radionuclide) imaging promotes tumor detection beneficially. All these imaging improvements may play a central role in clinical practice, especially when considering diagnosis, differential diagnosis, or definitive intervention. They further form accurate diagnosis, advise surgery, and decrease the risk of disrupting normal pituitary function.