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Pituitary incidentalomas are pituitary tumors that are characterized as an incidental finding. They are often discovered by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), performed in the evaluation of unrelated medical conditions such as suspected head trauma , in cancer staging or in the evaluation of nonspecific symptoms such ...
Many pituitary tumors (25%) are found to have areas of hemorrhagic infarction on MRI scans, but apoplexy is not said to exist unless it is accompanied by symptoms. [ 1 ] [ 4 ] In some instances, lumbar puncture may be required if there is a suspicion that the symptoms might be caused by other problems ( meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage ).
If the tumors become cancerous, some cases can be life-threatening. The disorder affects 1 in 30,000 people. Although many different types of hormone-producing tumors are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia, tumors of the parathyroid gland, pituitary gland, and pancreas are most frequent in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.
A prolactinoma is a tumor of the pituitary gland that produces the hormone prolactin.It is the most common type of functioning pituitary tumor. [1] Symptoms of prolactinoma are due to abnormally high levels of prolactin in the blood (hyperprolactinemia), or due to pressure of the tumor on surrounding brain tissue and/or the optic nerves.
A CT or MRI of the pituitary may also show the ACTH-secreting tumor if present. However, in 40% of Cushing's disease patients MRI is unable to detect a tumor. [8] In one study of 261 patients with confirmed pituitary Cushing's disease, only 48% of pituitary lesions were identified using MRI prior to surgery.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (abbreviated MEN) is a condition which encompasses several distinct syndromes featuring tumors of endocrine glands, each with its own characteristic pattern. In some cases, the tumors are malignant, in others, benign. Benign or malignant tumors of nonendocrine tissues occur as components of some of these tumor ...
Magnetic resonance imaging is the most sensitive test for detecting pituitary tumors and determining their size. [2] MRI scans may be repeated periodically to assess tumor progression and the effects of therapy. [ 2 ]
With pituitary adenomas larger than 1 cm, a baseline pituitary hormonal function test should be done, including measurements of serum levels of TSH, prolactin, IGF-1 (as a test of growth hormone activity), adrenal function (i.e. 24 hour urine cortisol, dexamethasone suppression test), testosterone in men, and estradiol in amenorrheic women. [11]