An analysis of the radiologic findings of pituitary adenoma

Lee, Y H; Park, C Y; Choi, B S; Oh, K K

Abstract

Sixteen cases of pituitary adenomas, which have been confirmed by operation or open biopsy, were reviewed andanalized on clinical symptoms, radiologic findings and related references. These cases were among 36 casesdiagnosed at severance Hospital, Yonsei University college of Medicine. The summary was as follows; 1. Among 16cases, chromophobe adenoma are 12 cases, eosinophilic one is 1 case and unknown cell type cystic ones are 3 cases,histologically. 2. Most frequent chief complaints are insidious onset visual impairment, headache and loss oflibido and /or amenorrhea in decreasing order. 3. The plain skulls reveal typical ballooning and cup shapeenlargement of sella, among them, there are marked destroyed sellar changes in 3 cases. double contour of sellaare present in 3 cases. There is no definite calcification, osteoblastic change around sellar neither ttpicalacromegalic skull. 4. The carotid angiograms, which was performed in 14 cases, show typical lateral displacementof intracavernous, and supraclinoid portion of internal carotid artery and opening of carotid siphon in 10 case.And elevation of proximal portion of anterior and middle cerebral artery are evident. There is no evidence oftumor brush. 5. The fractional pneumoencephalograms of 9 cases show the large tumor mass in chiasmatic cistern inall cases. These conventional studies could be helpful in the diagnosis of sella tumor, especially pituitaryadenoma, however, authors are recommended for further radiologic study such as autotomogram duringpneumoencephalogram or cavernous sinus angiogram for better differential diagnosis.