Long-Term Changes in the Size of Pituitary Microadenomas
Authors' conclusion
During the study period, approximately two thirds of the microadenomas remained unchanged or decreased in size. The growth, if any, was slow. These findings suggest that less frequent pituitary MRI surveillance for patients with incidental pituitary microadenomas may be safe.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with evidence of pituitary microadenoma on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Mass General Brigham, Boston, Massachusetts, 2003–2021177 with >1 MRI
- Participants
- 414 patients
- Outcome
- Change in dimensions of pituitary microadenomas over time
Methodological detailslongitudinal
- Longitudinal
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Change in microadenoma size (patients with >1 MRI)
- No change in size
- 78
- Increase in size
- 49
- Decrease in size
- 34
- Both increase and decrease in size
- 16
- Estimated slope (linear mixed model), 95% CI −0.037 to 0.069
- 0.016 mm/y
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Size change, subgroup baseline size ≤4 mm
- Tended to increase; estimated slope, CI 0.020 to 0.161
- 0.09 mm/y
Size change, subgroup baseline size >4 mm
- Tended to decrease; estimated slope, CI −0.141 to 0.015
- −0.063 mm/y
Original publication
Long-Term Changes in the Size of Pituitary Microadenomas. Ann Intern Med. Published 28 February 2023. doi:10.
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