What examinations are needed for pituitary tumors

After the occurrence of pituitary tumors, the patient's body will undergo some changes, such as unexplained obesity, menstrual disorders, and sexual dysfunction. When these symptoms appear, you should be careful about the occurrence of pituitary tumors and go to a regular hospital for diagnosis in time. So, what examinations are needed for pituitary tumors? Let's listen to the experts' introduction.

1. Pathological examination:

This is the most reliable diagnostic method with a very low misdiagnosis rate. Pathological diagnosis is divided into ordinary slices HE staining light microscopy observation. This operation can only be used for gross diagnosis and cannot distinguish the type of tumor. Immunohistochemical staining is used to diagnose based on the hormones contained in tumor cells. It has high sensitivity, but the misdiagnosis rate is also high. Electron fluoroscopic microscopy observation. The tumor type is distinguished based on the different characteristics of tumor cells. It is rarely used in clinical practice.

2. Imaging:

(1) CT scan: It is only of diagnostic value for large pituitary tumors. Tiny pituitary tumors are easily missed. It cannot be used as the main tool for diagnosing pituitary tumors.

(2) Plain skull X-ray: This is a relatively primitive diagnostic method. It determines the presence of tumors and makes differential diagnosis based on changes in the sella turcica bone and calcification in the sella turcica.

(3) MRI examination: It is the most important tool for diagnosing pituitary tumors. It can clearly show the size, shape, location, and relationship of the tumor with surrounding structures. Even tumors with a diameter of 2-3 mm can be displayed. However, the signals of some tumors are similar to those of the surrounding normal pituitary tissue, and the two are difficult to distinguish. It is necessary to combine clinical manifestations and endocrine examinations for diagnosis.

3. Clinical manifestations:

The discomfort symptoms and physical changes of the patient after becoming ill are the most basic information for diagnosis. Some subtle manifestations may serve as the basis for important diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Since online consultation cannot directly talk to the doctor face to face, it is necessary to provide the doctor with detailed clinical information. Don't forget to state the patient's age, gender, and duration of the illness.

4. Endocrine examination:

How to check pituitary tumors? Since most pituitary tumors have the function of secreting hormones, their clinical manifestations are not obvious.

In short, the diagnosis of pituitary tumors uses MRI as the gold standard and endocrine as the silver standard. In cases that are difficult to diagnose, a comprehensive analysis based on the above is required.