The human brain is only about 2% of the total body weight. The pituitary gland, the tiny gland located in the lower part on the surface of our brain, accounts for 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 own hormones and is responsible for various processes in the life of the body.
It is difficult to overestimate the value of the pituitary gland, since it affects the functioning of the thyroid gland, adrenal cortex, human growth, the work of the sex glands, kidneys and blood vessels, that is, it is responsible for the normal functioning of all systems of our body.
If a tumor of this important gland is suspected, doctors prescribe pituitary MRI. The pituitary tumor is called an adenoma. It happens up to 10 ml (microadenoma) and more than 10 ml (macroadenoma).
Tumors are of several types. The classification is based on histological, that is, tissue parameters, hormonal activity, that is, the release of hormones is increased or decreased, as well as a benign tumor or a malignant one. In the latter case, the right diagnosis on time saves a person's life. Of all the current methods of examination, only pituitary MRI 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 is that the pituitary gland is located in a kind of bone pocket, which is called the Turkish saddle. If the adenoma grows down in the sinus of the sphenoid bone of the saddle, the patient complains of a feeling of nasal congestion. If the tumor presses on 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 relieved heavily. In addition, patients have a sharp deterioration in vision and endocrine disorders. Diabetes insipidus can also be caused by a tumor in the posterior pituitary gland.
Depending on the clinic of the disease, various types of examinations are prescribed, including tests to determine the amount of hormones in the blood serum, craniography, radioimmunological methods, tests with thyroliberin, with synactene and pituitary MRI. Only in the complex of all results can a final diagnosis be made.
If there is a suspicion that the tumor is malignant, MRI is performed with contrast. For this, contrast paramagnetic preparations are administered intravenously to the subject, which allows 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 examination methods. What is tomography in essence? This is a graphical representation of the organ under study, not only in its entirety, as with x-rays, but in layers, as if the organ was cut into tens of thin layers with a scalpel and examined each. Of course, with this method, the picture of the disease is more accurate. Magnetic resonance imaging uses hydrogen atoms, which are present in large numbers in all of our organs. Based on their response to electromagnetic exposure by waves of a certain frequency, a general picture of the state of the organ under examination is compiled.
MRI of the pituitary gland and MRI of the brain are two separate procedures because the pituitary gland is very small in size, and in order to display an accurate picture of the state of its layers, “slices” should be performed after 1-2 mm. The examination procedure is absolutely painless, taking half an hour without contrast, and an hour with contrast. One of the significant advantages of the method is that it does not irradiate the body, therefore it can be carried out repeatedly and without the slightest harm to humans. But there are still limitations for examinations. So, MRI is not performed for children under 7 years of age and people of increased completeness (weight more than 180 kg).
In addition to the pituitary tumor, a serious disease is a brain tumor. Fortunately, it is extremely rare. Symptoms of this serious illness 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 symptoms are 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 prescribed, including various tests, tests, MRI of the brain, computed tomography. For some other diseases, an ultrasound scan of the brain is performed, which is completely harmless, and neurosonography.
Each of us must remember that the sooner a disease is detected, the greater the chance of its complete cure.