Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice to visualize the
pituitary gland. In pituitary dwarfism with growth hormone deficiency,
neuroimaging can be normal or can disclose abnormalities: (1) Tumors,
mainly craniopharyngiomas. These benign tumors vary greatly in size a
nd composition (calcifications, a cystic component in approximatively
80% of cases, typically with high signal intensity on T-1-weighted ima
ges). (2) Classical midline malformations such as septo-optic dysplasi
a or corpus callosum agenesis. (3) Recently described minor malformati
ons: pituitary hypoplasia, pituitary stalk aplasia, and translocation
of the pituitary bright spot to the median eminence called an 'ectopic
' posterior lobe. All these malformations can be isolated or associate
d. (4) Pituitary adenomas (prolactinomas), which are not frequent in c
hildren.