Evolving pituitary hormone deficiency is associated with pituitary vasculopathy: dynamic MR study in children with hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

PURPOSE

To assess pituitary vascularization in children with hypopituitarism, central diabetes insipidus (DI), or Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dynamic MR images were obtained through the pituitary stalk after injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine in 21 patients (11 boys and 10 girls, aged 4-17 years) and 10 age-matched control subjects.

RESULTS

Initial enhancement of the posterior pituitary lobe occurred simultaneously with that of the straight sinus in all subjects except four patients with central DI and a thick stalk. Enhancement of the entire anterior pituitary lobe was statistically significantly prolonged (P < .005) in the four patients with delayed initial posterior pituitary lobe enhancement.

CONCLUSION

Fast-framing dynamic MR imaging provides new information on the blood supply of the hypothalamic pituitary area in normal and abnormal pituitary glands. Enhancement times exceeding 20 seconds for the posterior pituitary lobe and 30 seconds for the anterior pituitary lobe may suggest abnormal vascularization in the hypophyseal arteries and portal system.