Pituitary apoplexy: diagnosis by computed tomography

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) now enables the early diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy. Since CT can detect blood, it can document acute or chronic hemorrhage in pituitary adenomas. In addition, CT can discriminate between densities other than blood and can therefore be used to diagnose those cases of pituitary apoplexy in which infarction and necrosis predominate. These conclusions were verified by a review of 10 apoplectic patients studied by CT. Although nine diagnostic delays occurred tissue confirmation by surgery in eight cases and autopsy on one made us familiar with the CT findings which should be useful in future diagnosis.