Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Fig 1.
Schematic presentation for DCE-MCT image acquisition and reconstruction. DCE-MCT was performed at 30, 45, 60, and 90 seconds after contrast agent injection. Subsequently, the “AUC image” was reconstructed in 3D. A representative case of a PRL-secreting pituitary microadenoma (case 20) is illustrated. The red arrows indicate the microadenoma, which was confirmed by surgical removal of the lesion.
- Fig 2.
A representative case of ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenoma. DCE-MCT analysis of an ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenoma (case 12) is presented. Abnormal contrast agent dynamics are observed on the right side of the pituitary gland, though no abnormality is evident on MR imaging. The red arrows indicate the microadenoma, which was confirmed by surgical removal of the lesion. The blue arrows indicate a normal pituitary gland.
- Fig 3.
Contrast agent dynamics of pituitary microadenomas assessed by AUC. A, Adenomas show significantly lower AUC compared with the normal pituitary gland (P < .0001, paired t test). B, ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenomas show significantly higher rAUC compared with PRL-secreting microadenomas (P < .05, 1-way ANOVA with a Tukey multiple comparison), suggesting that contrast agent dynamics within ACTH-secreting microadenomas are similar to those of the normal pituitary gland. GH indicates growth hormone. C, The ratio of CT values of adenomas to those of the normal pituitary gland (tumor/node ratio [T/n ratio]) is plotted as a function of the time phase during DCE-MCT. Twenty-three cases in which CT acquisition was performed at 30, 45, 60, and 90 seconds were collected. The most significant drop was observed at 45–60 seconds, irrespective of the secreted hormone. In addition, ACTH-secreting adenomas showed the highest tumor/node ratio among the 3 hormones, indicating the least contrast between the adenoma and normal pituitary gland (2-way ANOVA, P = .01).
Tables
Comparison of MRI and CT for correct localization diagnosis of functional microadenomas
Hormone Secreted No. of Cases Correct Diagnosis by MRI Correct Diagnosis by CT ACTH 13 4 11 GH 6 6 6 PRL 9 5 9 Total 28 15 26 Note:—GH indicates growth hormone.
