T1 weighted images (T1-WI) and T2 weighted images (T2-WI) were taken in the coronal and sagittal planes using thin 3 mm slices before and after intravenous administration of the macrocyclic GBCA. The contrast dose was 0.1 mmol/kg body weight (0.2 mL/kg BW). General anesthesia was additionally used in younger patients (below 7 years) to exclude movement artifacts.
The size (gland volume and three dimensions) and the morphology of the pituitary gland, possible presence and then location, signal pattern (SP), and potential occurrence of contrast enhancement of focal lesions were retrospectively reassessed on the GE ADW 4.6 as well as the Philips IntelliSpace workstations.