Abstract
MR anatomy of hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis is well established. However data about pituitary gland height (PGH) in children are sparse. A retrospective study was therefore performed in 60 children (30 boys and 30 girls) aged from 8 days to 21 years. All these children had MR for various neurological diseases. Patients with hypothalamo-hypophyseal disease and intracranial hypertension were excluded. The PGH was measured on a strict midline sagittal T1 weighted scan 3 to 7 mm thick. A positive linear correlation was found in children aged from 1 year to puberty followed by a plateau. In the first year of life a negative linear correlation was found. A positive linear correlation was found between PGH and statural height as well.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Daniels LD, Pojunas WK, Kilgore PD et al. (1986) MR of the diaphragma sellae. AJNR 7: 765
Di Chiro G, Nelson KB (1962) The volume of the sella turcica. Am J Roentgenol 87: 989
Fujisawa I, Asato R, Nishimura K et al. (1987) Anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland: assessment by 1.5 T MR imaging. J Comput Assist Tomogr 22: 314
Fujisawa I, Asata R, Kawata M et al. (1989) Hyperintense signal of the posterior pituitary on T1 weighted MR images: an experimental study. J Comput Assist Tomogr 13: 371
Gudinchet F, Brunelle F, Barth MO et al. (1989) MR imaging of the posterior hypophysis in children. AJNR 10: 511
Hayakawa K, Konishi Y, Matsuda T et al. (1989) Development and aging of brain midline structures: assessment with MR imaging. Radiology 172: 171
Inove Y, Nemoto Y, Fujita K et al. (1986) Pituitary dwarfism: CT evaluation of the pituitary gland. Radiology 159: 171
Kalifa G, Demange Ph, Sellier N et al. (1986) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sellar and juxta sellar area in children. Ann Radiol 29: 669
Kaplan SL, Grumbach MM, Aubert ML (1976) The ontogenesis of pituitary hormones and hypothalamic factors in the human fetus. Maturation of central nervous system. Regulation of anterior pituitary function. Rec Progr Horm Res 32: 161
Wiener S, Rzeszotarski M, Droege R et al. (1985) Measurement of pituitary gland height with MR imaging. AJNR 6: 717
Wolpert S, Molitch M, Goldman J et al. (1984) Size, shape and appearance of the normal female pituitary gland. AJR 143: 377
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Argyropoulou, M., Perignon, F., Brunelle, F. et al. Height of normal pituitary gland as a function of age evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging in children. Pediatr Radiol 21, 247–249 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02018614
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02018614