Imaging of endocrinal diseases

Imaging studies are playing an increasingly role in evaluation of endocrine disease, accordingly familiarity with the specific indications for the various modalties,and with the characteristic findings is essential.The hypothalamus is a thin layer of tissue that forms the floor and lateral walls of the third ventricle and it controls controls pituitary function. The pituitary gland occupies the sella turcica.MR is the technique of choice in evaluation of sella and juxtasellar regions. There are many advantages of MR over other imaging modalities (in particular, CT).However, CT still maintains an important role in the evaluation of the sellar and hypothalamic regions in patients who are contraindicated for MRI.The thyroid gland is located in the anterior part of the neck with the lateral lobes lying on either side of the trachea joined across the midline by the isthmus. Ultrasound (US) provides the best anatomical representation of the thyroid gland. Using high-resolution probes while radionuclide imaging of the thyroid provides functional information that complements the anatomical information obtained from US.The parathyroid glands are small lentiform structures usually embedded between the posterior border of thyroid gland and its fibrous capsule.At times.However variation in site is frequent.Imaging studies should be performed only after the diagnosis of parathyroid dysfunctions is established on the basis of biochemical findings and the role of imaging is to localize the lesion before surgery. Currently, the preferred examination is dual-phase scintigraphy with the technetium Tc 99m sestamibi or technetium Tc 99m tetrofosmin.The pancrease has both exocrine and endocrine functions is the function of Islet cells of Langerhans. Diabetes mellitus is by far the most common endocrine disorder. Islet-cell tumours are a range of rare neoplasms of neuroendocrine origin arising in or near the pancreas.Insulinomas are the most frequent functioning pancreatic tumours and account for 50% of all islet-cell tumours.Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and endoscopic ultrasonography have all been reported to be useful for the detection and staging of pancreatic ICTs[175].However, computed tomography (CT) remains the primary imaging modality and plays an important role in the diagnosisand staging of both syndromic and nonsyndromic ICTs.The adrenal glands lie within the perirenal space and are surrounded by fat.Computed tomography is currently the technique of choice in detecting and evaluating adrenal lesions. Thin collimation allows accurate density measurements of adrenal lesions. MRI offers an alternative method for imaging the adrenal gland. Imaging protocols usually consists of axial T1- and T2-weighted sequences.Ultrasound (US) continues to be the method of choice for imaging the testis and epidydimis Color Doppler is important for acute inflammatory pathology and testicular torsion.The ovary has both hormonal and germinal functions.the normal ovary is responsible for the process of ovulation,which is regulated by the pituitary.Ultrasound (transabdominal or transvaginal) is accepted as the primary imaging technique for examining the ovaries and female pelvis. Transvaginal ultrasound, provides greater detail of the anatomy and pathology due to the closer apposition to the pelvic organs. Colour, power and spectral Doppler provide additional information regarding associated vascularity.CT is the most commonly used primary imaging study for evaluating the extent of ovarian malignancy ..