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MRI scans are frequently used to evaluate the internal structures of the brain. Pituitary gland MRIs are used to discover tumors of the pituitary gland. FYI a pituitary MRI is also sometimes called a sella MRI.

In the picture to the right the pituary gland is the gray structure sitting in the white bone. You can see the thin stalk connecting it to the brain.

Your pituitary gland secretes many different kinds of hormones. Pituitary tumors can either destroy normal hormone secreting cells or create excessive hormones. Pituitary tumors can cause symptoms such as tiredness, headache, nipple discharge, excessive growth, and thirst. Some of the larger tumors can also press against nearby structures such as your optic nerves and affect your vision.

An MRI of the pituitary gland will look for:

Microadenoma - These are tiny (less than 10 mm in size) tumors that are usually suspected because they secrete a hormone such as prolactin for example. Prolactin causes milky nipple discharge.

Craniopharyngioma - These pituitary tumors are generally found in young children and cause symptoms related to their size. They press on the optic nerves causing vision symptoms and compress nearby brain and can cause hydrocephalus leading to headaches.

Cysts - Most pituitary cysts are asymptomatic and small. But some large cysts can act like tumors in that they press on nearby brain structures and cause symptoms such as headache.

Apoplexy - Some pituitary tumors can bleed and destroy much of the pituitary gland causing severe hormone imbalances. Or if the pituitary gland loses its blood supply it will result in a similar set of symptoms. This condition is called pituitary apoplexy and can be life threatening. The MRI will look for blood or tissue death in the pituitary gland.

An MRI of the pituitary gland (sella) will evaluate:

Pituitary gland

The pituitary gland is a pea sized structure in the middle of your brain just behind your eyes. It sits inside a bone cavity called the  sella dorsica. The gland is attached to the brain by a thin stalk called the infundibulum. 

Orbits

Although Pituitary MRIs are not tailored to look at the orbits, parts of the visual pathways are included as large pituitary tumors can compress the optic nerves (optic chiasm) and cause visual symptoms.

Bones

Brain matter

Parts of the white and gray matter of the brain are  seen. MRI can detect tumors, infection, bleeds, and stroke. Since some pituitary tumors grow and expand into the brain, the nearby brain structures are always included in the study.

Your Pituitary Gland MRI Scan

A pituitary MRI generally takes about 30 minutes or so to complete. If you are going for one, wear loose comfortable clothing and remember to remove all metal (jewelry, phones, rings, etc) before going into the MRI scan room. This test is nearly always done with IV MRI contrast.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured and need to look up prices and buy an MRI scan of the pituitary gland, you can use our website to look up MRI scan costs and then purchase with your credit card.

Have you had a Pituitary MRI scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.