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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Re: Pituitary
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Re: Pituitary
by CCF Neurosurgery MD/GM, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF Neurosurgery MD/gm on May 23, 1998 at 16:23:06:
In Reply to: Pituitary posted by Linda on May 23, 1998 at 02:10:47:
Hi CCF staff
Kay asked me to post this message for her. In 1970, Kay was diagnosed as having a deficiency in LH and FSH levels due to the problem in the pituitary. She had skull x-rays taken, and the report read the sella is on the small side and is seen bridged over by a thin bony structure. Contours and shape of the sella appear normal. The comment was that "generally a small sella and sellar bridge is considered to be of no clincial significance. However, in this case, it may be related to this patient's disease. That was taken long before the advent of CT and MRIs. She has had no follow ups over the years, and has been taking supplements to correct the deficiency.
The questions my friend has are:
1. Should she have an updated MRI or CT after 28 years because old x-rays may not have picked up any subtle problems? Were those old skull x-rays still good enough for the diagnosis?
2. Will any pituitary or hypothamlus (sp)tumour grow silently without her knowing it is there? Can it after all the years? She never had tumours whatsoever.
3. What are the first symptoms of such a tumour occurring there? She has no sense of smell.
My friend has been anxious about it, and has noticed that her specialist has never bothered to check her skull to make sure everything is OK. This enquiry is to reassure her about her health.
Thank you for your interest in this.
Dear Linda:
Your friend needs to see and endocrinologist who will assess what is going on
with her hormones. If he feels that there is a problem then I am sure that
he/she will recommend the right tests including an MRI. If she is not happy
with her specialist she can seek a second opinion elsewhere.
Obviously with the advent of MRI, plain skull Xrays are not the standard test
to look for pituitary tumors. Pituitary tumors can grow very slowly although
28 years is a long time. There is no specific first symptom that appears.
The presenting symptoms can be varied and can include loss of smell or
vision, as well as hormonal problems.
I hope this helps!
In Reply to: Pituitary posted by Linda on May 23, 1998 at 02:10:47:
Hi CCF staff
Kay asked me to post this message for her. In 1970, Kay was diagnosed as having a deficiency in LH and FSH levels due to the problem in the pituitary. She had skull x-rays taken, and the report read the sella is on the small side and is seen bridged over by a thin bony structure. Contours and shape of the sella appear normal. The comment was that "generally a small sella and sellar bridge is considered to be of no clincial significance. However, in this case, it may be related to this patient's disease. That was taken long before the advent of CT and MRIs. She has had no follow ups over the years, and has been taking supplements to correct the deficiency.
The questions my friend has are:
1. Should she have an updated MRI or CT after 28 years because old x-rays may not have picked up any subtle problems? Were those old skull x-rays still good enough for the diagnosis?
2. Will any pituitary or hypothamlus (sp)tumour grow silently without her knowing it is there? Can it after all the years? She never had tumours whatsoever.
3. What are the first symptoms of such a tumour occurring there? She has no sense of smell.
My friend has been anxious about it, and has noticed that her specialist has never bothered to check her skull to make sure everything is OK. This enquiry is to reassure her about her health.
Thank you for your interest in this.
Dear Linda:
Your friend needs to see and endocrinologist who will assess what is going on
with her hormones. If he feels that there is a problem then I am sure that
he/she will recommend the right tests including an MRI. If she is not happy
with her specialist she can seek a second opinion elsewhere.
Obviously with the advent of MRI, plain skull Xrays are not the standard test
to look for pituitary tumors. Pituitary tumors can grow very slowly although
28 years is a long time. There is no specific first symptom that appears.
The presenting symptoms can be varied and can include loss of smell or
vision, as well as hormonal problems.
I hope this helps!
