Learning objectives
To objectify the need of MRI of the pituitary in patients with hypopituitarism
To illustrate different causes and positions of ectopic neurohypophysis
Background
Ectopic Neurohypophysis (EN) is a rare condition characterized mainly by lower growth hormone levels but panhypopituitarism is also observed.
Its incidence in population ranges from 0.5-1/1mln live births.
Most commonly affected are males.
Predisposing factors can be:
prenatal genetic,
complicated breech delivery,
head trauma
it can be association with other conditions such as corpus callosum and ventricular dysplasia,
migration disorders as grey matter heterotopy.
Imaging methods of choice is Magnetic resonance technique with gadolinium enhancement.
CT is used as a basic overview or in the...
Findings and procedure details
3T MRI of the pituitary gland was performed on 274 patients,
mostly due to hormonal disorders.
Patient’s age ranged from 8-70y.,
mean age 39y.
71% were females.
The laboratory findings were most commonly high prolactin levels presenting with irregular and painful periods,
inability to conceive,
headaches,
painful breasts.
High somatotropin levels showed symptoms of Acromegaly.
Patients with hypopituitarism features as well as hypogonadism were also examined.
MR examination was carried out on a 3T MAGNETOM Verio Machine.
The images were analyzed on a Syngo viewer...
Conclusion
Ectopic neurohypophysis is a rare radiological and endrocrinological entity.
Nevertheless it should be considered in the cases of short stature or signs of panhypopituitarusm. Predisposing factors include traumatic conditions,
gene defects,
impaired development processes,
breech presentation and neonatal hypoglycemia are also common.
MRI is the method of choice in investigating pituitary disorders.
References
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