Imaging of tumors of the pituitary gland

Macrotumors of the sella region usually involve the suprasellar and less commonly the parasellar space. The suprasellar extension of pituitary adenoma, meningeoma, craniopharyngioma, and hypothalamic or chiasmatic glioma count for the most frequent neoplastic entities. In macroadenomas of the pituitary gland invasion of parasellar spaces may occur in 6-10%. Imaging techniques are directed to increase the likelihood of surgical cure and to detect aggressive tumour invasion into surrounding tissues. A dedicated classification basing on indirect MRI signs of tumour extension has been established. With high-resolution high-field (3T) MRI the sella region may be displayed to provide better information compared to lower field strengths.