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Pituitary microadenoma

Case contributed by Utkarsh Kabra
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Headache, increased serum prolactin levels.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Female
mri

Partial empty sella with pituitary gland mildly flattened against sellar floor. Small focal hypointense lesion in pituitary gland on right side showing no significant enhancement against background of intensely enhancing normal pituitary. No parasellar extension seen. No mass effect seen on optic chiasma.  

Case Discussion

Partial empty sella with a small focal hypointense lesion in pituitary gland on right side showing no significant enhancement against a background of intensely enhancing normal pituitary consistent with pituitary microadenoma.

Plain images including sag T1 and coronal T2 are unremarkable, except for partially empty sella. Hence, dynamic contrast enhanced scans are of utmost importance in MRIs for pituitary gland.

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