The Primary Angiographic Findings in Pituitary Adenomas

Abstract

Angiographic findings in 41 cases of pituitary adenoma were analyzed to determine the alterations that were due to the tumor. Pathologic changes in the meningohypophyseal trunk were observed in all cases and in the pituitary capsular arteries in almost 88%. Abnormal tumor vascularity was visible in all cases, and the character of this “blush” was indicative of the gross characteristics of the tumor—solid, cystic, or degenerated. Angiography is the neuroradiologic study of choice in the diagnosis of sellar lesions and the use of pneumoencephalography is eliminated except in instances in which the angiographic findings are atypical or equivocal.