LACK OF NORMAL MR ENHANCEMENT OF THE PITUITARY-GLAND - FINDINGS IN 3 SIBLINGS WITH COMBINED PITUITARY-HORMONE DEFICIENCY

We present the MR appearance of the sella turcica in three sibling dwa rfs with combined pituitary hormone deficiency in which MR images reve aled a peripheral curvilinear band of enhancement about the pituitary gland in all three patients, a normal-size pituitary gland in two sibl ings, a mildly enlarged pituitary gland in one sibling, and a thin inf undibulum and a normal posterior pituitary bright spot in all three si blings. Possible antecedents include an abnormal vascular supply, pitu itary gland replacement by a nonfunctioning adenoma, a proteinaceous c yst, or a hamartoma.