Magnetic resonance imaging of the normal equine pituitary gland.

The research article discusses a study that seeks to establish the baseline appearance and dimensions of a normal equine pituitary gland using magnetic resonance imaging. The aim is to use this as a reference in diagnosing pituitary adenomas or abnormal growths in horses.

Research Methodology

• The study is a retrospective one, with the researchers collecting and scrutinizing past data. The participants of the study were adult horses aged between 2 and 15 years old, each weighing over 300 kg. The horses were all selected under the premise that they did not show evidence of Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and no abnormalities were identified in their pituitary glands through MRI.
• A total of 27 horses were involved in the study. Histological data was available for only seven of the pituitary glands, with each gland considered normal as confirmed by an anatomic pathologist.
• The imaging and size details of the glands were evaluated using T2-weighted and pre- and postcontrast T1-weighted images. This involved the measurement of the pituitary length, width, and height, and the brain height and width.

Findings

• The average dimensions of the pituitary gland were determined to be a width of 21.0 ± 2.4 mm, height of 10.4 ± 1.9 mm, and length of 24.5 ± 2.7 mm.
• The researchers found no significant correlations between the pituitary and brain measurements, pituitary measurement, and body weight, or between brain measurements and body weight. This non-correlation was determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
• There was also no noticeable statistical difference in pituitary and brain measurements between necropsied and non-necropsied horses as determined by an unpaired t-test.

Imaging Features and Pituitary Gland Characteristic

• All pituitary glands were isointense to slightly hyperintense on T1-weighted images and isointense on T2-weighted images. This feature was relative to the cerebral white matter.
• In 88% of the horses, there was a noticeable focal T1-weighted hyperintensity in the caudal aspect of the pituitary gland.
• All pituitary glands displayed homogenous contrast enhancement on the images.

In conclusion, the study establishes that pituitary gland dimensions do not have a significant relationship with the brain size or body weight of a horse. The research offers the much needed reference baseline for MRI evaluation and potential diagnosis of pituitary gland abnormalities in horses.