MRI Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Uncommon Diseases of Pituitary Gland

Objective To investigate MRI characteristics of uncommon diseases of pituitary gland and improve the knowledge for these diseases. Materials and Methods MRI studies of 10 patients with pathologically or clinically confirmed uncommon diseases of pituitary gland were reviewed retrospectively, including Rathke's cysts in 3 cases, pituitary hyperplasia in 3 cases, lymphocytic hypophysitis in 3 cases and granular cell tumor in 1 case. Results 3 cases with Rathke's cysts showed cystic appearances with homogenous intensity and clear margin in the pituitary gland. 3 cases with pituitary hyperplasia showed enlarged pituitary glands and stalks with homogenous enhancement. 3 cases with lymphocytic hypophysitis showed enlarged pituitary glands and stalks with markedly enhancement. The signal was heterogenous in 1 case and dura was enhanced in 1 case. 1 case with granular cell tumor showed enlarged stalk with homogenous enhancement. Conclusion MRI can clearly detect the extent and feature of the uncommon diseases of pituitary gland, and it has significant clinical value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.