metrizamide and Pituitary-Diseases

Topics: Acromegaly; Adenoma; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Angiography; Brain Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Metrizamide; Myelography; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Sixty-four patients with intrasellar and suprasellar lesions on conventional computed tomography (CT) have been studied retrospectively to determine the indications for metrizamide CT cisternography (MCTC). Enhancing or calcified lesions, like a craniopharyngioma, pituitary adenoma, meningioma or aneurysm are adequately evaluated by conventional CT and MCTC is usually not needed. Determination of the exact suprasellar extent of an enhancing pituitary adenoma is best accomplished with coronal thin-section conventional CT alone. However, for isodense or hypodense suprasellar and intrasellar lesions, MCTC is indicated if conventional CT does not define their extent accurately. Differentiation of an empty sella from the occasional entirely lucent pituitary adenoma or other low density intrasellar lesions remains difficult by conventional CT at times, especially when the infundibulum is not identified. Then MCTC will also be indicated.

Topics: Adenoma; Adult; Aged; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms; Cerebral Ventriculography; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms; Craniopharyngioma; Diagnosis, Differential; Empty Sella Syndrome; Female; Glioma; Humans; Male; Metrizamide; Myelography; Optic Chiasm; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Metrizamide computerized tomographic cisternography was performed with a small dose and low concentration of intrathecal metrizamide using a newer generation of computerized tomography scanner for the evaluation of sellar and suprasellar abnormalities. The examination was performed with thin sections in axial, direct coronal, and (when feasible) direct sagittal projections in a high-resolution technique. The relationship of the lesions with carotid arteries, optic chiasms, and hypothalamic structures was accurately defined.

Topics: Adenoma; Adenoma, Chromophobe; Adolescent; Adult; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms; Empty Sella Syndrome; Female; Humans; Male; Meningioma; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Myelography; Optic Chiasm; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Neoplasms; Sella Turcica; Tomography, X-Ray Computed