Verena Klyn1, Sven Dekeyzer2,3, Ruth Van Eetvelde4, Pieter Roels5, Ortwin Vergauwen5, Pieter Devolder5, Martin Wiesmann1, Eric Achten5, Omid Nikoubashman1. 1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany. 2. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany. sven.dekeyzer@gmail.com. 3. Department of Medical Imaging, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ziekenhuis Aalst, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium. sven.dekeyzer@gmail.com. 4. Department of Medical Imaging, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ziekenhuis Aalst, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium. 5. Department of Medical Imaging, University Hospital (UZ) Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence of the posterior pituitary bright spot (PPBS) in the general population on 1.5 and 3T MRI examinations and on 2D-T1 spin-echo (SE) and 3D-T1 gradient-echo (GE) sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1017 subjects who received an MRI of the brain for aspecific neurological complaints were included. MRI was performed on 1.5T in 64.5% and on 3T in 35.5% of subjects. Presence of the PPBS was evaluated on sagittal 2D T1-SE echo images with slice thickness 3 mm in 67.5% and on sagittal 3D T1-GE with slice thickness 0.9 mm in 32.5% of subjects. RESULTS: The PPBS was detectable in 95.9% of subjects. After correction for sex and age, no statistically significant difference could be seen concerning PPBS detection between 1.5 and 3T MRI examinations (p = 0.533), nor between 2D T1-SE and 3D T1-GE sequences (p = 0.217). There was a statistically significant association between increasing age and the absence of the PPBS (p < 0.001). The PPBS could not be identified in 6.2% of male subjects, compared to 2.2% of female subjects (p = 0.01). DISCUSSION: Absence of the PPBS can be seen in 4.1% of patients undergoing MRI of the brain for non-endocrinological reasons. Neither field-strength nor the use of a thick-sliced 2D T1-SE versus a thin-sliced 3D T1-GE sequence influenced the detectability of the PPBS. There is a statistically significant association between increasing age and male sex and the absence of the PPBS.
PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence of the posterior pituitary bright spot (PPBS) in the general population on 1.5 and 3T MRI examinations and on 2D-T1 spin-echo (SE) and 3D-T1 gradient-echo (GE) sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1017 subjects who received an MRI of the brain for aspecific neurological complaints were included. MRI was performed on 1.5T in 64.5% and on 3T in 35.5% of subjects. Presence of the PPBS was evaluated on sagittal 2D T1-SE echo images with slice thickness 3 mm in 67.5% and on sagittal 3D T1-GE with slice thickness 0.9 mm in 32.5% of subjects. RESULTS: The PPBS was detectable in 95.9% of subjects. After correction for sex and age, no statistically significant difference could be seen concerning PPBS detection between 1.5 and 3T MRI examinations (p = 0.533), nor between 2D T1-SE and 3D T1-GE sequences (p = 0.217). There was a statistically significant association between increasing age and the absence of the PPBS (p < 0.001). The PPBS could not be identified in 6.2% of male subjects, compared to 2.2% of female subjects (p = 0.01). DISCUSSION: Absence of the PPBS can be seen in 4.1% of patients undergoing MRI of the brain for non-endocrinological reasons. Neither field-strength nor the use of a thick-sliced 2D T1-SE versus a thin-sliced 3D T1-GE sequence influenced the detectability of the PPBS. There is a statistically significant association between increasing age and male sex and the absence of the PPBS.
Authors: L P Mark; V M Haughton; L E Hendrix; D L Daniels; A L Williams; L F Czervionke; R J Asleson Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 1991 May-Jun Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: I Fujisawa; K Nishimura; R Asato; K Togashi; K Itoh; S Noma; Y Kawamura; T Sago; S Minami; Y Nakano Journal: J Comput Assist Tomogr Date: 1987 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 1.826
Authors: N Colombo; I Berry; J Kucharczyk; W Kucharczyk; J de Groot; T Larson; D Norman; T H Newton Journal: Radiology Date: 1987-11 Impact factor: 11.105