Pituitary volume changes in pregnancy and the post-partum period.

PURPOSE: Imaging changes in the pituitary volume during pregnancy remains scantly researched. This study set out to assess the differences in total, anterior, and posterior pituitary volume in pregnant women compared to nulliparous and post-partum women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was completed of women that had undergone MRI imaging of the brain. Patients were divided into three cohorts: pregnant, nulliparous, and post-partum (defined as being within 12 months of delivery). Anterior and posterior pituitary volumes were manually measured. RESULTS: 171 patients were included, of which 68 were pregnant, 52 were post-partum, and 51 were nulliparous. The average anterior (621.0 ± 171.6 mm3) and total (705.4 ± 172.2 mm3) pituitary volumes were significantly larger in pregnant patients than nulliparous women (522.6 ± 159.8 mm3 and 624.5 ± 163.7 mm3, respectively) (p = .002 and p = .01, respectively). The posterior pituitary volume was significantly smaller in pregnant women (84.4 ± 32.9 mm3) compared to both post-partum (101.2 ± 42.0 mm3) and nulliparous (102.0 ± 46.1 mm3) women (p = .02 for both). CONCLUSIONS: The anterior and total pituitary volumes are significantly larger during pregnancy persisting into the post-partum period. The posterior pituitary volume, conversely, decreases during pregnancy, and returns to its normal size in the post-partum period.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome: Case report and review of the literature.

Loeyz-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a genetic connective tissue disorder characterized by various clinical manifestations, most notably vasculopathies and skeletal abnormalities. The disease is rare, and has multiple overlapping features with other connective tissue disorders. As such, many radiologists remain unfamiliar with the imaging and clinical findings in LDS. Here, we describe the case of a 14-year-old male without previous diagnosis of LDS who presented with aortic root aneurysm and acute type A aortic dissection. Further workup revealed numerous abnormalities, including marked tortuosity of the cervical arterial system, a bifid uvula, hypertelorism, and a superior mesenteric artery aneurysm. Genetic testing ultimately revealed a mutation in Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 1.