Magnetic resonance image of sellar region in pituitary stalk interruption syndrome in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations of sellar region of children and adolescents with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS).

METHODS

Thirty-one PSIS cases were selected from February 2001 to August 2010 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. MRI images were collected to calculate the volume and coronary area of the pituitary based on its measured height, width, and anteroposterior diameter. The results of the measurement were retrospectively analyzed together with clinical data.

RESULTS

The patients in this study included 28 males and 3 females, aged 16.5∓3.8 years (range, 6~25 years). MRI images showed pituitary stalk rupture associated with ectopic posterior pituitary in 16 cases, significantly thinner or unclear pituitary stalk in 15 cases, in which 7 cases were found with vacuole turcica. All the 31 patients presented with reduced pituitary volume and dysfunction of anterior pituitary.

CONCLUSION

PSIS may show pituitary stalk interruption with ectopic posterior, thinning or unclear of pituitary stalk, and with a variety of anterior pituitary hormone deficiency.