Is magnetic resonance imaging more sensitive than computed tomography in the location of corticotropin secreting pituitary adenomas?

Two cases of pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome are described in which the computed tomography (CT) examination was negative; as the hormone dynamic investigations were directed towards the presence of corticotropin (ACTH) secreting pituitary formations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary was performed, which evidenced the presence of such lesions; subsequent neurosurgery confirmed in both cases the location indicated by MRI. In conclusion, the higher sensitivity of MRI compared to CT in the diagnosis of ACTH secreting pituitary adenomas can be noted.

Osteoporosis in type II diabetes.

Double photon absorptiometry comparison was done of lumbar bone mineral content (BMC) values in 40 women with well-compensated non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type II) and on dietary and/or oral hypoglycemic treatment, and 35 age-matched non-diabetic women, to determine the presence and degree of osteoporosis in this type of diabetes by means of a highly precise and sensitive method. No difference between the two groups was noted as regards blood calcium, phosphorus, PTH and thyrocalcitonin, and urinary calcium and phosphorus. BMC, on the other hand, was significantly lower in the diabetics, both in L2,L3,L4 and in L4 alone.