Acromegaly MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]

Pituitary gland MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of acromegaly as pituitary adenomas are the most common cause of acromegaly. Findings on MRI suggestive of acromegaly include enlarged pituitary gland and an adenoma that may extend to the suprasellar region. Spine MRI also may be helpful in the diagnosis as it shows hypertrophy of the spinal ligaments.

• Pituitary MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of acromegaly. Findings on MRI suggestive of acromegaly include:^[1]
  • Pituitary adenoma as it is the most common cause of acromegaly and 75% of the patients have macroadenoma. On MRI, enlarged pituitary gland with gadolinium uptake is observed and the adenoma may extend to the suprasellar region.
• Spine MRI may be helpful also in the diagnosis of acromegaly. Findings on MRI show hypertrophy of spinal ligaments and cartilaginous structures and features of osteoarthritis.
• Joints MRI shows ligamentous and cartilaginous hypertrophy and crystal deposition.

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