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01-07-2015 | Diagnostic Neuroradiology

Intensity of prolactinoma on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging: towards another gender difference

Authors: Julie Kreutz, Laurent Vroonen, Francoise Cattin, Patrick Petrossians, Albert Thiry, Liliya Rostomyan, Luaba Tshibanda, Albert Beckers, Jean-François Bonneville

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 7/2015

Abstract

Introduction

Clinical presentations of prolactinomas are quite different between genders. In comparison with women’s prolactinoma, those in men showed predominance of large tumors with high prolactin (PRL) levels. This preponderance could be attributed to a greater proliferative potential of the tumors.

Differences in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal at diagnosis have not been yet clearly evaluated.

Methods

We conduct a retrospective study comparing MRI signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted images (T2-WI) between 41 men and 41 women to investigate whether or not men prolactinoma present specific features.

Results

In addition to the size of the adenoma and PRL levels (P < 0001), prolactinomas in men also exhibit differences from those in women in signal on T2-WI on MRI (P < 0001). Women’s prolactinomas are mostly of high SI on T2-WI while men’s prolactinomas exhibit a more heterogeneous pattern of SI on T2-WI. Prolactinomas presenting with low SI on T2-WI are almost exclusively encountered in men.

Conclusions

Presence of T2-WI hypointensities in pituitary adenoma can be predictive of a different subtype of prolactinoma almost encountered in men and possibly translate the presence of spherical amyloid deposits, in agreement with the literature.

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Title: Intensity of prolactinoma on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging: towards another gender difference
Authors: Julie Kreutz
Laurent Vroonen
Francoise Cattin
Patrick Petrossians
Albert Thiry
Liliya Rostomyan
Luaba Tshibanda
Albert Beckers
Jean-François Bonneville
Publication date: 01-07-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Neuroradiology / Issue 7/2015
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-015-1519-3

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Intensity of prolactinoma on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging: towards another gender difference

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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