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Volume 11 (2024) | Issue 5
Volume 11 (2024) | Issue 5
Volume 11 (2024) | Issue 5
Volume 11 (2024) | Issue 5
Volume 11 (2024) | Issue 5
Background: The pituitary gland was first described anatomically by a Belgian scientist Andreas Vesalius in 1543. Pituitary gland is the master endocrine gland of human body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the most suitable modality for the evaluation of pituitary gland pathologies. Knowledge of the normal dimensions of the pituitary gland is needed to differentiate normal from abnormal cases. Size of the gland especially height varies according to age group and also gender. The references values are helpful for evaluating pituitary gland especially in borderline cases in whom dynamic post contrast studies are needed for further evaluation. Hence we conducted a study to formulate the normal data for different age groups. Aim of the study: Aim of the study is to evaluate the size and shape of pituitary gland according to different age groups on MRI. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in the department of Radiology, Government Medical College, Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India, a tertiary care teaching hospital. 203 patients who had undergone brain MRI, Patients with seller or parasellar pathologies and endocrine disorders were excluded from the study. Mid sagittal T1 weighted images were analysed for size and shape of the gland. Results: Our study included 203 patients, 112 males and 91 females. The patients were divided into different age groups from 0 to 10 years, 11-20 years, 21-30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years and 61 years and above. Mean height of pituitary gland in our study was 5.42 mm. Maximum height was found in 11-20 years age group. After 11-20 years age group, gradual decline in the height was noted. Minimal increase in the elderly age group was also seen. Most common shape of the pituitary gland was flat in our study. Conclusion: The reference value of normal size of pituitary gland in various genders and age groups has been standardized. Any variation in size will help the clinician to deduce any pathology and make early diagnosis and plan adequate this will be avoid unnecessary suffering to patients. Knowledge of pituitary gland height in different age groups is helpful in distinguishing normal from abnormal gland. Normal data of the study is useful for the same.