Assessment of Normal Pituitary Gland Volume in Paediatric Population Using MR Volumetry - A Single Centre Experience

Dr Sathya Krishnakumar, Dr Saanida Monthampally, Dr Madhava Vijayakumar, Dr Rajan Padinharoot

Abstract: Accurate assessment of pituitary gland size is important in children with suspected endocrine disorders, yet routine evaluation based on gland height may overlook normal differences in shape and anatomy. This cross-sectional study estimated the true pituitary gland volume in healthy Indian children younger than 12 years using direct manual measurements on sagittal T1 weighted MRI images. Seventy-one children with normal pituitary function and normal brain MRI findings were included after careful clinical screening. Pituitary volume and mid sagittal height were measured and analysed according to age and sex. The results showed a gradual increase in pituitary volume with age in both boys and girls, with the highest values observed between 10 and 12 years. A significant sex difference was noted only in this age group, while gland volume remained largely independent of sex during earlier childhood. The measured values were broadly comparable with findings from previous studies, although some differences were observed in older children, possibly reflecting ethnic variation. The study provides preliminary reference values for pituitary gland volume in Indian children and supports the use of direct volumetric MRI assessment as a more reliable approach for evaluating normal pituitary size.

Keywords: pituitary gland, magnetic resonance imaging, pituitary volume, pediatric population, endocrine assessment