MRI of the pituitary gland is the most accurate and most informative method of investigation

The human brain is only about 2% of the total body weight. On the pituitary gland - a tiny piece of iron, located in the lower part of the surface of our brain - is even less. Its weight ranges from 0.35-0.65 g. It is up to 10 ml long, about 15 ml wide, and only 5-6 ml high. With all this, the pituitary gland consists of two lobes, anterior and posterior. Each of them produces its hormones and is responsible for various processes in the life of the body.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the pituitary gland, as it affects the functioning of the thyroid gland, the adrenal cortex, the growth of a person, the work of the gonads, kidneys and blood vessels, that is, it is responsible for the normal functioning of all systems of our body.

If a tumor is suspected of this important gland, doctors prescribe a pituitary MRT. A pituitary tumor is called an adenoma. It can occur up to 10 ml (microadenoma) and more than 10 ml (macroadenoma).

Tumors are distinguished by several species. The classification passes through histological, that is, tissue parameters, according to hormonal activity, that is, the release of hormones is increased or decreased, and also benign it is a tumor or malignant. In the latter case, the correct diagnosis delivered in time saves a person's life. Of all the currently available methods of examination, only the pituitary MRT gives an absolutely accurate picture of what happens to the gland.

Symptoms with pituitary adenoma are different, depending on the type of tumor and the direction of its growth. The fact that the pituitary gland is in a kind of bone pocket, which is called the Turkish saddle. If the adenoma grows downward, in the sinus of the sphenoid bone of the saddle, the patient complains of a feeling of nasal congestion. If the tumor presses against the diaphragm of the saddle, the patient has frequent headaches in the forehead, temples and behind the eyeballs. Usually this pain is dull, without nausea and pills is removed heavily. In addition, patients have a sharp deterioration in vision and endocrine disorders. Non-diabetes mellitus can also be caused by a tumor in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

Depending on the disease clinic, various types of examination are prescribed, including tests for determining the amount of hormones in the blood serum, craniography, radioimmunoassays, tests with tiroleiberin, with synaktenom and MRI of the pituitary gland. Only in the complex of all the results can a final diagnosis be made.

If there is a suspicion that the tumor is malignant, the MRI is performed with contrast. To do this, the subject is injected intravenously with contrasting paramagnetic preparations, which make it possible to obtain a clearer picture of the size of the tumor and the shape of its edges.

Some patients are afraid to do an MRI. In fact, this is one of the most sparing survey methods. What is a tomography in fact? This is a graphic image of the organ under investigation, not only as an x-ray, but layer by layer, as if the organ is cut with a scalpel into dozens of thin layers and examined by each. Of course, with this method the picture of the disease is more accurate. In magnetic resonance imaging, hydrogen atoms are used, in large numbers present in all our organs. By their reaction to electromagnetic radiation by waves of a certain frequency, a general picture of the condition of the organ under examination is made up.

MRI of the pituitary gland and MRI of the brain are two separate procedures, because the pituitary body is very small in size, and it is necessary to perform "cuts" in 1-2 mm in order to display an accurate picture of the state of its layers. The procedure of examination is absolutely painless, occupying in time without contrast half an hour, and with contrast - an hour. One of the significant advantages of the method is that it does not irradiate the body, so it can be carried out repeatedly and without the slightest harm to humans. But there are restrictions for the surveys. Thus, MRI is not performed for children under 7 years of age and for people of increased fatigue (weight over 180 kg).

In addition to a pituitary tumor, the most serious disease is a brain tumor. Fortunately, it is extremely rare. Symptoms of this severe disease are different and depend on the site of localization, size, growth rate of education and many others. In many cases, especially in the early stages of the disease, the symptomatology is rather vague. It is similar to the symptoms of other diseases, for example, general weakness, fatigue, headaches, impaired vision, memory, hearing, dizziness and many others. Based on the clinical picture of the disease, a brain examination is performed, including various tests, tests, MRI of the brain, computed tomography. With some other diseases, ultrasound of the brain is carried out, which is completely harmless, and neurosonography.

Each of us should remember, the earlier the disease is revealed, the more chances for its complete cure.