Pituitary apoplexy Diagnosis

Imaging tests can diagnosis for pituitary apoplexy.

1. X-ray examination: X-ray film can be found to expand the sella, the disappearance of anterior clinoid process, thinning or damage at the end of saddle.

2. CT scan: When CT scan, the tumor shows low-density (edema or necrosis), or high-density areas (hemorrhage), after injection of contrast agent can arise a peripheral tumor enhancemented. CT scanning can make clear spread of subarachnoid hemorrhage, as well as whether or not to intraventricular extension, and make diagnosis for the course and time of hemorrhage of pituitary adenoma.

3. Cerebral angiography: current cerebral angiography for the diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy seems unnecessary, but in the following condition must remain.
1) have signs with meningeal irritation associated with monocular paralysis pm;
2) suprasellar aneurysm is similar to pituitary adenoma, CT scanning in just to make diagnosis more difficult;
3) In order to distinguish between loss of neurological function caused by vascular spasm.

4. MRI examination: When occur pituitary apoplexy, in the T1 and T2-weighted images may show high signal intensity within the lesions. MRI tests in the diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy is obviously superior to CT tests.

5. Determination of pituitary function: anterior pituitary function can be dominated by their target to reflect the status. Including determination for gonadal function, adrenal function, thyroid function, pituitary hormone secretion. Simultaneous determination of pituitary gonadotropic hormone and target gland hormones levels can better determine the target gland hypofunction as a primary or secondary.