Prolactinoma MRI
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Anmol Pitliya, M.B.B.S. M.D.[2], Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [3]
Overview
Overview
MRI may be diagnostic of prolactinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive test for detecting pituitary tumors and determining their size.
Key MRI findings in prolactinoma
Key MRI findings in prolactinoma
MRI may be diagnostic of prolactinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive test for detecting pituitary tumors and determining their size. Contrast enhanced MRIs have a sensitivity of 90%. Findings on MRI scans suggestive of prolactinoma include:[1]
- Isotense to normal pituiatry on T1-weighted images.
- A rounded region of delayed enhancement compared to the rest of the gland is observed on dynamic sequence post gadolinium enhancement.
- Variable characteristics are found in delayed images post gadolinum enhancement. Hypo-enhancement (compared to rest of gland) is observed most commonly. Iso-intense (same as rest of gland) and hyperintense (retained contrast) is found rest of the time.
- Variable, but often a little hyperintense to normal pituitary are found on T2-weighted images.
MRI examples of Prolactinoma
MRI examples of Prolactinoma
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References
References
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