Pituitary gland imaging

MRI imaging is the technique of choice in the diagnosis of children with hypopituitarism. Marked differences in MRI pituitary gland morphology suggest different etiologies of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and different prognoses. Pituitary stalk agenesis and ectopic posterior pituitary (EPP) are specific markers of permanent GHD, and patients with these MRI findings show a different clinical and endocrine outcome compared to those with isolated hypoplastic pituitary or normal pituitary anatomy. T2 DRIVE images aid in the identification of the pituitary stalk without the use of contrast medium administration. Future developments in imaging techniques will undoubtedly reveal additional insights. Mutations in a number of genes have been associated with pituitary dysfunction and abnormal pituitary gland development; the correlation of genetic mutations to endocrine and MRI phenotypes has improved our knowledge of pituitary development.