Background Little is known about the relationship between signal intensity
patterns on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in non-functioning
pituitary adenomas (NFPAs).
Objective In this study, the clinical, hormonal, histological features,
and therapeutic responses were evaluated according to the T2 signal intensity in
NFPAs.
Methods This retrospective and multicenter study included a group of 166
NFPA patients (93 men, 56%, mean age 58.5 ±14.8 yr).
Results: Approximately half of the tumors (n=84, 50.6%)
were hyperintense, while 34.3% (n=57) and 15.1%
(n=25) were iso- and hypointense, respectively. The median maximum tumor
diameter of the isointense group [16 (13–25) mm] was significantly lower
than that of the hyperintense [23 (16.6–29.7) mm] group
(p=0.003). Similarly, the tumor volume of the isointense group [1,523
(618–5,226) mm3] was significantly lower than that of the
hyperintense [4,012 (2,506–8,320) mm3] group
(p=0.002). Chiasmatic compression occurred less frequently in tumors
with isointense signal characteristics (38.6%) compared to tumors with
hypointense (68%) and hyperintense (65.5%) signal
characteristics (p=0.003). Invasive adenomas (p=0.001) and the
degree of cavernous sinus invasion (p<0.001) were more frequent in the
hyperintense adenoma group compared to the remaining groups. Plurihormonal
tumors and silent lactotroph adenomas were more frequent in the isointense tumor
group.
Conclusion In conclusion, hyperintensity on T2-weighted MRI in NFPAs is
associated with larger and more invasive tumors compared to isointense
NFPAs.