Abstract
We performed magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary gland in 354 children who
were under the care of our pediatric neurological outpatient department. Among them,
an empty sella was recognized in 11 children, who all showed normal hormonal results.
The frequency of an empty sella was significantly high in idiopathic intracranial
hypertension (4/4; P<0.0001) and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (3/5; P<0.0001). The ratio of an empty sella in children, excluding patients with idiopathic
intracranial hypertension and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, is estimated to
be 4/345 (1.2%), which is markedly lower than that in adults. Magnetic resonance imaging
of the pituitary gland in children could provide important clues for the diagnosis
of idiopathic intracranial hypertension or nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 18,
2001
Received in revised form:
July 16,
2001
Received:
May 22,
2001
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
