Question 1

is it possible that an mri with contrast could miss a pituitary tumor?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If the tumor is very small it could be missed on mri.

Question 2

could a mri with contrast fail to identify a pituitary tumor?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Most pituitary tumors are "microadenomas", meaning that they are less than 1 CM in size.  Mris done specifically to look for a pituitary tumor are very good at detecting tumors near 1 CM in size, and identify about 50% of tumors in the 0.3 CM size range, and would miss most tumors smaller than this.

Question 3

have pituitary tumor ever been seen on non-contrast ct or mri scans?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Especially large ones.

Question 4

having mri to check pituitary tumor growth.had coiling of aneurysm 3 months ago.worried the coils could move because of vibration of the scan?thanks.

Accepted Answer

Check with neurosurg: The concern with mris and aneurysm coils is whether or not they have MRI compatible metal.  Generally, the coils that are currently used (at least in the United States) are all MRI compatible. You should check with your neuro-interventionalist or neurosurgeon who placed the coils. Generally the vibration of the MRI is not enough to move the coils.

Question 5

how common is it for pituitary tumors to be overlooked on mri?

Accepted Answer

Uncommon: Pituitary tumors are readily seen on MRI and the radiologist reading the study will look closely at the pituitary as well as the rest of the study so it is uncommon for a tumor to be missed.

Movement during the MRI may create artifact that obscures the pituitary but that would prompt a repeat study.

Question 6

my mri showed a pituitary tumor. does that mean i have cushing's disease?

Accepted Answer

No: A pituitary tumor or adenoma is associated with Cushing's disease when condition has several changes in the body secondary to  hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to the cortisol. It produces masculinizing effects and eventual humping of the back with frequent emotional changes. It has been associated with  long-term use of corticosteroid, an adrenal tumor or pituitary lesion.

Question 7

212 igf-1 (191);repeat 218; no sx acromegaly but recently diagnosed with cardiomyopathy; coincidental or should i get  mri to rule out pituitary tumor?

Accepted Answer

NO PITUITARY MRI!: Hi. Those IGF-1's would be normal for a 55 yo woman. Cardiomyopathy has a million and one causes, and acromegaly is WAY DOWN the list of likely causes. Pituitary is classic for "incidentalomas" - masses found incidentally, most of which have no bearing on disease. So you have NO biochemical evidence of acromegaly. Whatcha gonna do if a pituitary tumor IS found? Send a surgeon in??? I hope not!

Question 8

my son had a transphenoid pituitary tumor resection in 2021 and just had a fu mri. i need help deciphering the results. it says: interval increase in size of soft tissue component extending along the superior lateral margin of the r cavernous sinus?

Accepted Answer

: The cavernous sinus is next to the pituitary gland so the finding could be the residual change post pituitary tumor resection. If your son is asymptomatic and this MRI is just a routine procedure then I am not concerned about it. If he has new symptom(s) then the neurosurgeon will go over the finding with you for plan of care. Good luck.

Question 9

i have double the highest range of acth, dhea and elevated prolactin, low progesterone. no visible adrenal/pituitary tumor on mri/ct, and also a positive ana yet no disease antibody were positive. i am exhausted all the time. help what could it mean?

Accepted Answer

Not ovulating: likely, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and insulin resistance as well. Testing and treatment is available.

Question 10

what could cause a pituitary tumor (less enhancing) to grow from .7mm to .9mm, largest dim, in 2 years, then shrink to .6mm w/i 5 years?  if nonfunctional, would you continue to follow w/ mris?

Accepted Answer

MRI results vary: Mri measurements are not an exact science, particularly when you're talking about tenths of a millimeter. These changes are well within the range of variation for resolution of an mri. If the adenoma is nonfunctional, continue to monitor with further studies scheduled at your doctor's recommendations.

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Doctor answers about:

Is it possible that an MRI with contrast could miss a pituitary tumor

A member asked:

Is it possible that an mri with contrast could miss a pituitary tumor?

A member asked:

Could a mri with contrast fail to identify a pituitary tumor?

A member asked:

Have pituitary tumor ever been seen on non-contrast ct or mri scans?

A member asked:

Having mri to check pituitary tumor growth.had coiling of aneurysm 3 months ago.worried the coils could move because of vibration of the scan?thanks.

A member asked:

How common is it for pituitary tumors to be overlooked on mri?

A member asked:

My mri showed a pituitary tumor. does that mean i have cushing's disease?

A member asked:

212 igf-1 (191);repeat 218; no sx acromegaly but recently diagnosed with cardiomyopathy; coincidental or should i get mri to rule out pituitary tumor?

A member asked:

My son had a transphenoid pituitary tumor resection in 2021 and just had a fu mri. i need help deciphering the results. it says: interval increase in size of soft tissue component extending along the superior lateral margin of the r cavernous sinus?

A member asked:

I have double the highest range of acth, dhea and elevated prolactin, low progesterone. no visible adrenal/pituitary tumor on mri/ct, and also a positive ana yet no disease antibody were positive. i am exhausted all the time. help what could it mean?

A member asked:

What could cause a pituitary tumor (less enhancing) to grow from .7mm to .9mm, largest dim, in 2 years, then shrink to .6mm w/i 5 years? if nonfunctional, would you continue to follow w/ mris?

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