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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is MRI Result Showing 'abnormal Appearance Of Pituitary Gland' A Cause For Concern?

Husband just got MRI results back: "Abnormal appearance of the pituitary gland which appears enlarged and distorted with superior convex border which contacts the optic chiasm."
The doc who ordered the exam told him to go to the ER to have a Neurologist evaluate him. But his general practitioner sees no hurry to the situation. Currently, he has no comprehension problems. The only possible symptoms are dizziness, nausea and double vision. We previously attributed that to current medication from a surgery last month. Can you please expound on this? Can we wait to see the Neurologist next week? Or is this a REAL emergency?
Thu, 8 Jan 2015
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Neurologist 's  Response
I read your query and I understand your concern.

It would have been useful to know also whether he had contrast exam during MRI.
Enlargement of the pituitary gland can have many different causes, some are common and some are rare. The overwhelming part, including most common ones (benign tumors of the pituitary gland) are slowly progressive conditions which in my opinion can wait until next week.
I am not even sure that it's the cause of the symptoms you mention, it is more probably finding caught by coincidence (compression of the optic chiasm can cause vision field issues, but not double vision - it doesn't look to compress the chiasm anyway).
So unless there are new signs and quick deterioration of his condition I don't think you should rush to the ER.

I hope to have been of help.
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Is MRI Result Showing 'abnormal Appearance Of Pituitary Gland' A Cause For Concern?

I read your query and I understand your concern. It would have been useful to know also whether he had contrast exam during MRI. Enlargement of the pituitary gland can have many different causes, some are common and some are rare. The overwhelming part, including most common ones (benign tumors of the pituitary gland) are slowly progressive conditions which in my opinion can wait until next week. I am not even sure that it s the cause of the symptoms you mention, it is more probably finding caught by coincidence (compression of the optic chiasm can cause vision field issues, but not double vision - it doesn t look to compress the chiasm anyway). So unless there are new signs and quick deterioration of his condition I don t think you should rush to the ER. I hope to have been of help.