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Presence of the posterior pituitary bright spot sign on MRI in the general population: a comparison between 1.5 and 3T MRI and between 2D-T1 spin-echo- and 3D-T1 gradient-echo sequences

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Abstract

Purpose

To describe the prevalence of the posterior pituitary bright spot (PPBS) in the general population on 1.5 and 3T MRI examinations and on 2D-T1 spin-echo (SE) and 3D-T1 gradient-echo (GE) sequences.

Materials and methods

1017 subjects who received an MRI of the brain for aspecific neurological complaints were included. MRI was performed on 1.5T in 64.5% and on 3T in 35.5% of subjects. Presence of the PPBS was evaluated on sagittal 2D T1-SE echo images with slice thickness 3 mm in 67.5% and on sagittal 3D T1-GE with slice thickness 0.9 mm in 32.5% of subjects.

Results

The PPBS was detectable in 95.9% of subjects. After correction for sex and age, no statistically significant difference could be seen concerning PPBS detection between 1.5 and 3T MRI examinations (p = 0.533), nor between 2D T1-SE and 3D T1-GE sequences (p = 0.217). There was a statistically significant association between increasing age and the absence of the PPBS (p < 0.001). The PPBS could not be identified in 6.2% of male subjects, compared to 2.2% of female subjects (p = 0.01).

Discussion

Absence of the PPBS can be seen in 4.1% of patients undergoing MRI of the brain for non-endocrinological reasons. Neither field-strength nor the use of a thick-sliced 2D T1-SE versus a thin-sliced 3D T1-GE sequence influenced the detectability of the PPBS. There is a statistically significant association between increasing age and male sex and the absence of the PPBS.

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Abbreviations

3D-MP RAGE:

3D-magnetization prepared rapid gradient-echo

ADH:

Anti-diuretic hormone

PPBS:

Posterior pituitary bright spot

T1-SE:

T1-spin echo

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. M. Van Bockstal (Department of Anatomic Pathology, UZ Gent, Belgium) for her help with the statistical analysis.

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Correspondence to Sven Dekeyzer.

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Conflict of interest

Martin Wiesmann has received grants from Stryker Neurovascular. Siemens Healthcare, personal fees from Stryker Neurovascular. Silkroad Medical. Siemens Healthcare. Bracco, and non-financial support from Codman Neurovascular. Covidien. Abbott. St. Jude Medical. Phenox. Penumbra. Microvention/Terumo. B. Braun. Bayer. Acandis. ab medica. The other authors have nothing to disclose.

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For this type of study formal consent is not required.

Informed consent

This is a retrospective imaging analysis and patients cannot be identified based on the data and images provided, so no informed consent was obtained.

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Klyn, V., Dekeyzer, S., Van Eetvelde, R. et al. Presence of the posterior pituitary bright spot sign on MRI in the general population: a comparison between 1.5 and 3T MRI and between 2D-T1 spin-echo- and 3D-T1 gradient-echo sequences. Pituitary 21, 379–383 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-018-0885-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-018-0885-3

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