Abstract:

Objective To explore the application value of spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging for the judgment of texture of pituitary adenoma. Methods Clinical data of 36 patients treated for pituitary adenoma between December, 2011 and November, 2013 were collected. Cases were divided into the soft group, medium group, and tough group according to textures of tumors found during operations. Patients were examined by MRI and spectral CT enhanced scan before operations. Spectral attenuation curves of tumor tissues and frontal white matter and their slopes were analyzed and compared. Results Among 36 cases of pituitary adenoma, 24 cases belonged to the soft group; 8 cases belonged to the medium group; and 4 cases belonged to the tough group. Their slopes of CT spectral attenuation curves of tumor tissues were 0.669±0.066, 0.333±0.024, and 0.145±0.049, respectively. The ratios of slopes of spectral attenuation curves of tumor tissues and frontal white matter were 1.355±0.279, 0.674±0.057, and 0.318±0.005. The differences among groups were statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion Preoperative spectral CT imaging examination is helpful for judging the texture of pituitary adenoma. The ratio of slopes of attenuation curves of the tumor tissue and frontal white matter is relevant to the texture of pituitary adenoma.

Key words: spectral computed tomography imaging, pituitary adenomas, texture