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. 1997 Jan;18(1):89-93.

High signal intensity of the infundibular stalk on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR

Y Araki  1 , R Ashikaga, S Takahashi, J Ueda, O Ishida
Affiliations

High signal intensity of the infundibular stalk on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR

Y Araki et al. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1997 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the MR imaging characteristics of the pituitary stalk with a fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) technique.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the prevalence of a high-signal infundibular stalk on FLAIR MR images of the brain in 133 patients and compared this finding with the patients' ages. To understand the cause of the high signal intensity of the pituitary stalk on FLAIR images, we calculated the T1, T2, and proton-density values in regions of gray matter, white matter, and the pituitary stalk in nine cases.

Results: FLAIR images showed the pituitary stalk as having high signal intensity in 97 (73%) of 133 cases; however, in 11 of 16 patients less than 10 years old, the infundibular stalk was not of high signal intensity. In patients with a high-signal pituitary stalk on FLAIR images, the T2 value of the pituitary stalk was longer than that of gray or white matter.

Conclusion: High signal intensity of the infundibular stalk was frequently seen on FLAIR MR images of the brain at all ages. A prolonged T2 value of the pituitary stalk caused the high signal intensity, presumably reflecting the fluid component of the pituitary stalk.

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