PITUITARY REACTION FOLLOWING THE STALK SECTION

Missing Pituitary Stalk: A Key to the Diagnosis

Pituitary stalk lesions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To describe the diverse causes of pituitary stalk lesions, their diagnosis, and treatment. RECENT FINDINGS Pathology of the pituitary stalk is often distinct from disease processes that affect the hypothalamus and/or pituitary. Pituitary stalk lesions fall into one of three categories: congenital, inflammatory/infectious, and neoplastic lesions. SUMMARY Stalk thickening ma...

CT of the normal pituitary stalk.

A prospective study assessed the size and frequency of visualization of the normal pituitary stalk on high-resolution computed tomography (CT). The normal pituitary stalk can be seen on the vast majority of high-resolution scans obtained with thin sections and intravenous contrast material. The upper size limit of the normal pituitary stalk is 4 mm at the level of the dorsum sellae and 4.5 mm a...

CT of the abnormal pituitary stalk.

Seven cases are presented in which enlargement of the pituitary stalk was demonstrated by computed tomography (CT). Histiocytosis X, sarcoidosis, and metastatic cancer were the proven or presumed causes. The discovery of pituitary stalk enlargement prompted radiation treatment in three patients and led to the diagnosis of previously unsuspected diabetes insipidus in one.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of pituitary stalk.

A four-year-old male child presented with increased Typically the lesions are round or oval-shaped with wellurine output and excessive thirst for eight months. On defined margins and bevelled edge. Individual lesions examination he had multiple scalp swellings with mild may coalesce giving a geographic appearance to the skull hepatosplenomegaly. Urine specific gravity was decreased suggestive o...