Medical Imaging in Pregnancy: Safety, Appropriate Utilization, and Alternative Modalities for Imaging Pregnant Patients.

This article reviews the existing literature on diagnostic and medical imaging of pregnant women, the risks and safety measures of different medical imaging modalities, and alternative modalities for imaging pregnant patients. Different medical imaging modalities such as MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and X-ray imaging help to evaluate women with recognized or unrecognized pregnancies and identify any underlying complications among pregnant patients. Fetuses are more sensitive to radiation and the effects of medical imaging as compared to adults since they have a rapidly developing cell system. During cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, fetuses suffer greatly from imaging radiation since they are developing under a dynamic system. To ensure safety, pregnant women should discuss the benefits and risks of medical imaging with their physicians. In addition, radiologists should not perform any medical imaging procedure without the patient's consent, unless the patient cannot make any sound decision. Fetal risks of medical imaging include slow growth and development of the fetus, abortion, malformations, impaired brain function, abnormal childhood growth, and neurological development. Diagnostic imaging procedures are necessary when a condition that needs medical evaluation arises during pregnancy such as appendicitis.

Calcified Pituitary Adenoma Mimicking Craniopharyngioma: A Case Report.

A 60-year-old woman presented with a history of a previously diagnosed sellar mass and a recent onset of severe headache, vision loss, and dizziness. The patient was found to have a large mass with curvilinear calcification on imaging. Histopathology confirmed the presence of a pituitary adenoma with abnormal acini, consistent with adenoma, and moderate amounts of granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. A detailed analysis of the patterns of calcification and the radiological morphology is crucial to distinguishing between pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma. Recognition of these patterns can aid in distinguishing between these conditions, providing a more accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.