What tests should be done for pituitary tumors

What examinations should be done for pituitary tumors? Nowadays, there are more types of food, but people also face more diseases. In recent years, the number of patients with pituitary tumors has been increasing, but many people do not know what examinations are needed. So, let us understand what examinations are needed for pituitary tumors.

Imaging examination:

(1) MRI: MRI is the preferred imaging examination for pituitary tumors because of its sensitivity and ability to better display the tumor and its anatomical relationship with surrounding tissues. It can distinguish the optic chiasm and sellar diaphragm, clearly show whether cerebral blood vessels and pituitary tumors have invaded the cavernous sinus and sphenoid sinus, and whether the pituitary stalk is compressed. MRI is more likely to detect small lesions than CT. The disadvantage of MRI is that it cannot show signs of bone destruction at the sellar floor and soft tissue calcification like CT. Figure 1 shows a normal pituitary MRI.

(2) CT: Conventional 5mm layered CT scans can only detect larger pituitary lesions. High-resolution multi-thin layer (1.5mm) coronal reconstruction CT can detect smaller pituitary tumors during enhanced scanning. The posterior pituitary may not show high-density shadows in patients with central diabetes insipidus. The infundibulum of the hypothalamus is located behind the optic chiasm.

(3) X-ray film: In larger cases, the sella turcica can be seen on the plain film to be enlarged, the diameters of the sella turcica are all enlarged, the sella turcica wall is thinned, the sella turcica floor is moved downward, the sella dorsum is destroyed, and the anterior and posterior beds are narrowed, which makes the sella turcica opening enlarged. The lateral view shows a double sella turcica floor.

Other tests:

Special examinations for pituitary tumors mainly refer to ophthalmological examinations. Ophthalmological examinations include visual field examinations, visual acuity examinations, and eye movement examinations. When the tumor compresses the optic chiasm, optic tract, or optic nerve, it can cause visual field defects or decreased vision.