Imaging the Feline Neurologic System

Computed Tomographic Assessment of Pituitary Gland Dimensions in Domestic Short-Haired Cats

“…Another possible cause of discrepancy between reported values and those from the current study may be the use of different imaging techniques (CT vs. MRI), different CT devices, or scan protocols. It is well known that MRI has a higher soft-tissue contrast compared to CT, which might give more accurate and reproducible results [ 7 , 23 ]. On the other hand, older MRI devices might not have enough field strength or precise electronic calipers in the range of millimeters [ 11 ].…”

“…Pituitary tumors can originate from different cell lineages, and can be functional or non-functional [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The clinical signs associated with the neoplasm depend on the secretory proprieties, but also on the tumor’s size [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Indeed, non-functional tumors can also become clinically relevant when they enlarge enough to cause neurologic signs by the direct compression of other intracranial structures [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 10 ].…”

“…The detection of anatomical alterations of the pituitary gland is usually performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) [ 7 ]. These imaging techniques are paramount for diagnosis, surgical planning, or radiotherapy [ 8 ].…”

“…These imaging techniques are paramount for diagnosis, surgical planning, or radiotherapy [ 8 ]. In many cases, the diagnosis of pituitary macroadenoma is straightforward, since the pituitary mass dorsally protrudes from the sella turcica, and compresses the adjacent brain parenchyma, sometimes with associated neurological signs [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. However, in the case of microadenomas, there are often only subtle changes in the pituitary size and contours that may not be visible on cross-sectional imaging (MRI, CT) [ 9 , 12 ].…”