Fact-sheet: Pituitary adenoma
Updated on 10/05/2016 at 2:36 PM
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Definition
Benign, slow-growing tumor arising from the anterior pituitary.
Secreting adenomas:
- prolactinoma
- corticotroph adenoma (ACTH)
- somatotroph adenoma (GH): Acromegaly
- gonadotroph adenoma (LH-FSH)
- thyrotroph adenoma (TSH)
- plurihormonal adenoma.
Non-secreting adenomas (including oncocytoma)
Clinical features
Headache, visual disturbances, rarely a picture of pituitary apoplexy: sudden-onset severe headache, meningeal syndrome, confusional state, oculomotor palsy, coma
Radiography
Completely obsolete, sellar enlargement, erosion of the clinoid processes and dorsum sellae, +/- calcifications
MRI
Reference examination.
Look for a
- T1 hypointense nodule
- T2 hyperintense nodule
- post-gadolinium T1 hypointense nodule within the normally enhancing pituitary gland.
Macroadenoma: > 10 mm
- look for suprasellar extension, invasion of the cavernous sinuses, sphenoid sinus, or nasopharynx
Differential diagnosis
Rathke cleft cyst.
Intrasellar craniopharyngioma