MR assessment of pituitary gland morphology in healthy volunteers: Age- and gender-related differences

P. M. Doraiswamy, J. M. Potts, D. A. Axelson, M. M. Husain, S. N. Lurie, C. Na, P. R. Escalona, W. M. McDonald, G. S. Figiel, E. H. Ellinwood, O. B. Boyko, K. R. Krishnan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE AND METHODS: High-field MR images at 1.5 T were used to characterize the effects of age and gender on pituitary size and shape in a sample of 71 adult volunteers (40 females), aged 21 to 82 years. FINDINGS: For all subjects, age was inversely correlated with pituitary height (r = - .43, P < .0002) and cross-sectional area (r = -.35, P < .0028). Age-specific gender differences were also present in pituitary height and area. A convex upper pituitary margin was more common in females (P = .002) and younger subjects (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that aging is accompanied by gender-specific changes in pituitary size and shape, and provides normative data that may facilitate evaluation of the pituitary gland in neuroendocrine disorders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1295-1299
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology
Volume13
Issue number5
StatePublished - 1992

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Clinical Neurology

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