Acromegaly MRI
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]
Overview
Overview
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.
MRI
MRI
- 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.
References
References
- ↑ Famini P, Maya MM, Melmed S (2011). “Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging for sellar and parasellar masses: ten-year experience in 2598 patients”. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 96 (6): 1633–41. doi:10.1210/jc.2011-0168. PMC 3100749. PMID 21470998.
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