Cysts happen:

• retention – occur due to blockage of the ducts that are normally used to release fluid from the gland. They are most often small and do not cause severe symptoms;
• Colloidal – formed due to a buildup of colloidal material inside the pituitary gland. They can be small or reach large sizes;
• cancerous – although rare, the pituitary gland can be affected by cancerous tumors that may have a cystic structure.

Headaches can be the first signal that a cyst is present. Cysts that put pressure on the optical nerves can cause difficulty seeing, including double vision, impaired focusing, and even vision loss.

Diagnosis at MDI Clinic

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This is the key method for diagnosing pituitary cysts. MRI provides detailed images of the pituitary gland and reveals the presence of a cyst, determining its size, structure and exact location.

A brain CT scan may be performed to further visualize the pituitary gland and characterize the cyst. If the cyst affects the patient’s hormonal status, blood tests for hormones such as prolactin, gonadotropic hormones, cortisol, and others are performed.

Liquorology can help assess the pressure, protein and cell content of the cerebrospinal fluid and identify the presence of a cyst. It is especially important if there are vision-related symptoms. An ophthalmologist may perform tests to determine visual disturbances caused by pressure on the optic nerves.