Characteristic location and growth patterns of functioning pituitary adenomas: correlation with histological distribution of hormone-secreting cells in the pituitary gland

ObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation between the magnetic resonance imaging findings of functional pituitary adenomas and histological distribution of hormone-secreting cells in pituitary gland.MethodsForty-nine patients with pathologically confirmed functional micro and macro pituitary adenomas were retrospectively reviewed for its location and growth direction.ResultsMicro-prolactin, micro-adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and micro-growth hormone (GH) producing adenomas showed specific location (P-value < .01). Macro-GH and macro-thyroid-stimulating hormone producing adenomas showed specific growth direction (P-value < .05), whereas macro-prolactin and macro-ACTH producing adenomas did not.ConclusionThe functional pituitary microadenomas' location and macroadenomas' growth pattern correlate well with histological distribution of hormone-secreting cells in pituitary gland.