Differentiation of pituitary adenomas from other sellar and parasellar tumors by 99mTc(V)-DMSA scintigraphy.

Pentavalent technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid [99mTc(V)-DMSA] scintigraphy was evaluated for the differentiation of pituitary adenomas, especially non-functioning adenomas, from other sellar and parasellar lesions. Diffuse 99mTc(V)-DMSA accumulation within the tumor was found in seven of seven non-functioning, three of four growth hormone-secreting, and seven of eight prolactin-secreting adenomas, but only partial accumulation in only two of 16 non-pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary glands. There were no significant relationship between tumor-to-background ratios and tumor size or serum hormone level. 99mTc(V)-DMSA scintigraphy showed overall sensitivity of 81% (17/21 cases) for detecting pituitary adenomas, in particular 100% for non-functioning adenomas. 99mTc(V)-DMSA may be useful for detecting pituitary adenomas, especially non-functioning adenomas, and for the differentiation of non-functioning pituitary adenomas from other sellar and parasellar lesions.