Advances in Imaging of the Pediatric Pituitary Gland

Abstract

High-resolution MRI of the pediatric sella can help identity or confirm clinical abnormalities, assess pituitary gland size and structure, and reveal acquired lesions. This article reviews contemporary techniques for imaging of the sella and associated structures in this population. Strengths and weaknesses of conventional imaging are discussed, as are techniques that can enhance yield. Some new and emerging technologies are discussed, including MR elastography, perfusion imaging, spectroscopy, and diffusion-weighted and diffusion-tensor imaging. It is expected that this overview will provide insight as to where pediatric sella imaging is currently and where it may head in the future.

Keywords: Advanced imaging; Imaging; Pediatric; Pituitary; Sella.