Hypogonadism MRI
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]
Overview
MRI is performed in cases of hypogonadism to examine the pituitary gland and hypothalamus to detect any tumors that may cause hypogonadism. It is performed in specific patients who present with visual disorders, neurological manifestations and lab findings of hypopituitarism. Possible findings may include empty sella turcica and pituitary adenomas.
MRI
- MRI may be used in cases of hypogonadism to examine pituitary gland for any pituitary or hypothalamic tumors causing the disease. However, the chance of finding pituitary and hypothalamic tumors in hypogonadism patients is very low.[1]
- Brain MRI is helpful if the patient present with the following features:
- Visual disorders
- Neurological manifestations
- Lab results showing hypopituitarism
- Possible MRI findings in hypogonadism include:
- Empty sella turcica: the sella is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the infundibulum can be seen to traverse the space, thereby excluding a cystic mass.
- Pituitary micro or macro adenomas.
References
- ↑ Citron JT, Ettinger B, Rubinoff H, Ettinger VM, Minkoff J, Hom F; et al. (1996). “Prevalence of hypothalamic-pituitary imaging abnormalities in impotent men with secondary hypogonadism”. J Urol. 155 (2): 529–33. PMID 8558653.
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