PURPOSE: To elucidate the frequency of false-positive results in imaging diagnoses of a functioning pituitary microadenoma, the authors studied various kinds of incidental lesions greater than 2 mm in diameter from a larger series of pituitary glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand pituitary glands were studied in a nonselected autopsy series. Most causes of death were acute diseases or accidents. Each gland was fixed in 10% formalin and was then cut horizontally into three or four pieces, which were prepared for usual light microscopy. RESULTS: Of 178 glands found to have incidental lesions, 61 (34%) lesions were larger than 2 mm. Included were adenomas and hyperplasias (n = 20), Rathke cysts (n = 37), infarctions (n = 2), and hemorrhages (n = 2). Seventeen (74%) of 23 laterally localized lesions were adenomas, and 33 (87%) of 38 medially situated lesions were Rathke cleft cysts. These lesions were found in 5.8%-8.3% of subjects in every generation aged 30 years or older. CONCLUSION: Incidental lesions should be considered a cause of false-positive findings (6.1%) when an imaging diagnosis is made of a functioning pituitary microadenoma.
PURPOSE: To elucidate the frequency of false-positive results in imaging diagnoses of a functioning pituitary microadenoma, the authors studied various kinds of incidental lesions greater than 2 mm in diameter from a larger series of pituitary glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand pituitary glands were studied in a nonselected autopsy series. Most causes of death were acute diseases or accidents. Each gland was fixed in 10% formalin and was then cut horizontally into three or four pieces, which were prepared for usual light microscopy. RESULTS: Of 178 glands found to have incidental lesions, 61 (34%) lesions were larger than 2 mm. Included were adenomas and hyperplasias (n = 20), Rathke cysts (n = 37), infarctions (n = 2), and hemorrhages (n = 2). Seventeen (74%) of 23 laterally localized lesions were adenomas, and 33 (87%) of 38 medially situated lesions were Rathke cleft cysts. These lesions were found in 5.8%-8.3% of subjects in every generation aged 30 years or older. CONCLUSION: Incidental lesions should be considered a cause of false-positive findings (6.1%) when an imaging diagnosis is made of a functioning pituitary microadenoma.
Authors: J R Anderson; N Antoun; N Burnet; K Chatterjee; O Edwards; J D Pickard; N Sarkies Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 1999-06 Impact factor: 10.154
Authors: Amit Mahajan; Richard A Bronen; Ali Y Mian; Sacit Bulent Omay; Dennis D Spencer; Silvio E Inzucchi Journal: Endocrine Date: 2020-03-11 Impact factor: 3.633