Topographic anatomy of the pituitary fossa was studied by 2 mm thin-section CT scan (Somatom II). Nineteen with normal pituitary (control group) and 20 with suspected pituitary abnormality were selected. Plain and contrast CT were performed in all cases. Contrast CT was carried out immediately after the rapid infusion of 220 ml of 30% iodinated contrast medium. In all of control group but two, pituitary gland was detected as homogenous density and its density was as same as density of normal brain tissues, and was enhanced in degree of about 25 CT number. In 2 cases, small low density was visualized in the pituitary gland. Pituitary gland was differentiated from cavernous sinus was usually higher than the pituitary gland. In abnormal group, the microadenoma of the pituitary gland was diagnosed in 5 cases and 3 out of 5 cases was proved by surgery. All 3 microadenomas proved slightly dense by plain CT and enhanced higher than normal pituitary gland by contrast CT. Polytomograms showed no abnormality of the sella turcica in one of these 3 cases. Although 3 microadenomas were detected by the abnormal enhancement, we are not sure whether all of microadenoma can be detected by CT alone. Arachnoid herniation into the pituitary fossa was diagnosed in 7 of control group and 2 of abnormal group. Four out of these 9 cases were verified by using Metrizamide CT. By plain thin-section CT, the diagnosis of arachnoid herniation seems to be possible without Metrizamide CT.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1982

[Computed tomography in brain metastases (author's transl)].

CT scan of the one hundred and sixteen metastatic brain tumors in 50 patients was reviewed and compared to the previous reports. The most common primary organ was lung (43%) followed by breast (18%), colon (10%) and kidney (6%). Solitary nodule was found in 20 patients (40%). On plain CT scan, tumor nodules were demonstrated as slightly high density in 38 (33%), isodensity in 50 (43%) and slightly low density in 28 (24%). Majority of tumor nodules were present in the corticomedullary junction (82%). Brain edema seen as a peritumoral low density was extensive in comparison with the edema in the glioma of the similar size. On contrast CT scan, ring like enhancement was seen in 41 (35%). Intra-tumoral bleeding was shown in 2 metastatic nodules from choriocarcinoma and in one metastatic nodule from renal cell carcinoma. All 3 cases were proved by surgery or autopsy.

Adult↗

PubMed1982