The pituitary "incidentaloma"

Article Abstract:

The advent of sensitive diagnostic imaging techniques has allowed radiologists to detect previously undetectable masses in patients who were symptom free. When these masses (adenomas) are found accidentally and occur around the pituitary gland of the brain, they are called pituitary 'incidentalomas'. The pituitary gland, which secretes a number of hormones, is located in an area of the skull called the sella turcica. The most commonly found lesion is the pituitary adenoma, which is almost always benign. These adenomas are classified on the basis of their size and if they are produce excess hormonal secretions. Imaging techniques and autopsy results indicate that microadenomas, or small adenomas that are less than ten millimeters in diameter, are present in about 10 to 20 percent of the population. Macroadenomas, adenomas greater than ten millimeters in diameter, are very rare. The most common type of adenoma is a prolactinoma, which secretes prolactin in excess amounts. Prolactin is a pituitary hormone that stimulates milk production in the mammary glands. If the microadenoma is secreting excess prolactin, further diagnostic evaluation and therapy may be warranted. If excess prolactin is not present, follow-up scans should be done every year or so. Since macroadenomas may continue to enlarge, it is recommended that they be surgically removed. If the patient remains symptom-free, follow-up scans should be performed every 6 to 12 months. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Tomography, Medical imaging equipment, Pituitary gland tumors, Pituitary tumors

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Pancreatic enhancement after low-dose infusion of Mn-DPDP

Article Abstract:

Contrast agents are chemicals given to people undergoing diagnostic imaging procedures which help enhance images of the tissues or organs being examined. Manganese dipyridoxal-diphosphate (Mn-DPDP) is a contrast agent that was developed for use with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver. While studying Mn-DPDP enhancement of liver images, these authors observed that it also appeared to enhance the visualization of the pancreas. To assess this further, MRIs of the pancreas were taken in six healthy males before and after Mn-DPDP was given. After the agent was given, images were taken each minute during the first five minutes, every three minutes up to 45 minutes and every 30 minutes up to six hours following its administration. Signal intensities from MRI of the pancreas increased rapidly following administration of Mn-DPDP. The maximal increase in signal intensity was reached at 1.5 hours following administration of the agent, when the signal was 98 percent higher than before the agent was given. Enhancement of the signal intensity was still 50 percent greater after six hours. Signal intensity enhancement was 15 percent greater, on average, for the head of the pancreas than for the tail. No side effects from the agent were seen. Despite the small size of this study, it appears that Mn-DPDP greatly enhances MR imaging of the pancreas. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Magnetic resonance imaging, Pancreas, Contrast media, Contrast media (Chemicals)

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