Spontaneous sphenoid sinus mucocele revealed by meningitis and brain abscess in a 12-year-old child

Sphenoid sinus mucocele is an uncommon lesion related to inflammatory disease that is diagnosed after surgery or a traumatic event. This report describes an unusual case revealed by bacterial meningitis and cerebral abscess in a 12-year-old child. CT and MR imaging allowed precise extension to the skull base in preoperative management and follow-up investigations. Endoscopic transnasal marsupialisation of the mucocele and antibiotic therapy led to complete remission. There was no evidence of recurrence after 6 months, which suggests that sphenoid mucoceles, regardless of size and complications, can be treated by endoscopic sinus surgery.     

Acromegaly due to an ectopic pituitary adenoma in the sphenoid sinus

An ectopic pituitary adenoma, exclusively involving the sphenoid sinus, associated with a normal size pituitary gland and an empty sella is a rare clinical entity. Only four cases have been found in the literature. We describe the case of a 47-year-old woman with clinical and biochemical acromegaly. Computed tomography (CT) appeared to show expansion of the sellar floor inferiorly into the sphenoid sinus, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated an empty sella and a mass lesion confined to the sphenoid sinus. The tumor was totally resected by taking a transnasal endoscopic approach and the dura mater of the base of the pituitary fossa was confirmed intact.     

鼻内镜在孤立性蝶窦霉菌病诊疗中的应用

目的：探讨鼻内镜在孤立性蝶窦霉菌病诊疗中的应用价值。方法对13例孤立性蝶窦霉菌病患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,并对手术方法及治疗效果进行讨论。结果根据症状、体征和影像学检查,13例患者的诊断均为孤立性霉菌性蝶窦炎,并行鼻内镜下蝶窦开放手术,病理检查确诊;术后随访6-12个月,无复发病例。结论孤立性蝶窦霉菌病临床表现无特异性,易漏诊及误诊,CT/MRI检查结合鼻内镜检查可有效提高术前诊断率。运用功能性鼻内镜手术治疗孤立性蝶窦霉菌病优势明显,为首选的治疗方式。     

真菌性蝶窦炎的影像诊断和鉴别诊断

目的:探讨蝶窦真菌感染的影像学特征、诊断和鉴别诊断。方法:回顾性分析11例经病理证实的真菌性蝶窦炎的临床和影像学检查资料。结果:CT与MRI表现为窦腔内结节样软组织密度影8例(73%);伴有沙粒状、小条片状、团块状的钙化6(45%)例;累及后组筛窦5例(45%),伴窦腔扩大7例(64%);局限性骨质增生和破坏4例(36%)。结论:真菌性蝶窦炎具有较特征性影像学表现,鉴别诊断要考虑一般性炎症、息肉、粘液囊肿和肿瘤。     

Detection of an occult transclival cerebrospinal fluid fistula by CT and MRI

We describe an unusual occult transclival cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula to the sphenoid sinus demonstrated by MRI. CT was performed because of a posterior cerebral infarct caused by cardiac arrhythmia. Axial sections showed fluid in the sphenoid sinus. High-resolution scans revealed a bony defect 3 mm in diameter of the posterior wall of the sphenoid sinus, and MRI showed a transclival CSF fistula. This occult lesion was confirmed by surgery and duraplasty was successfully performed via an endonasal approach. Received: 17 September 1997 Accepted: 6 April 1998     

Remarkable anatomic variations in paranasal sinus region and their clinical importance

With the advent of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and coronal computed tomography (CT) imaging, considerable attention has been directed toward paranasal region anatomy. Detailed knowledge of anatomic variations in paranasal sinus region is critical for surgeons performing endoscopic sinus surgery as well as for the radiologist involved in the preoperative work-up. To be in the known anatomical variants with some accompanying pathologies, directly influence the success of diagnostic and therapeutic management of paranasal sinus diseases. A review of 512 (1024 sides) paranasal sinus tomographic scans was carried out to expose remarkable anatomic variations of this region. We used only coronal sections, but for some cases to clear exact diagnosis, additional axial CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nasal endoscopy were also performed. In this pictorial essay, rates of remarkable anatomic variations in paranasal region were displayed. The images of some interesting cases were illustrated, such as the Onodi cell in which isolated mucocele caused loss of visual acuity, agger nasi cell, Haller's cell, uncinate bulla, giant superior concha bullosa, inferior concha bullosa, bilateral carotid artery protrusion into sphenoid sinus, maxillary sinus agenesis, bilateral secondary middle turbinate (SMT) and sphenomaxillary plate. The clinical importance of all these variations were discussed under the light of the literature. It was suggested that remarkable anatomic variations of paranasal region and their possible pathologic consequences should be well defined in order to improve success of management strategies, and to avoid potential complications of endoscopic sinus surgery. The radiologist must pay close attention to anatomical variations in the preoperative evaluation.     

MRI appearances of an ectopic pituitary adenoma: case report and review of the literature

MR images of an ectopic pituitary adenoma have been published in only a single case, a suprasellar mass. We present a patient with Cushing's disease in whom MRI revealed a pituitary adenoma within the sphenoid sinus. Radiologic characteristics of ectopic pituitary adenomas are reviewed, with emphasis on MRI, which demonstrates a soft tissue mass, isointense with gray matter on T1-weighted images, which enhances in a heterogeneous manner.     

Chronic invasive sinus aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report

We report the case of an immunocompetent, 39 year old male who presented with diplopia and diffuse headache. The CT scan demonstrated the presence of a sizeable mass that took over the nasal cavity, the right maxillary sinus, the sphenoid and ethmoid sinus, extending to the sellar and suprasellar region, and eroding the adjacent bones. The patient also underwent MRI and endoscopic sinus surgery. Biopsy of the suspected tissue for pathology and culture demonstrated Aspergillus fumigatus.     

Capillary hemangioma of the sphenoid sinus with intrasellar and parasellar extensions

Capillary hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors usually diagnosed in infancy and involving skin and soft tissues. We report a rare case of an adult capillary hemangioma of the left sphenoid sinus extending into the intrasellar and parasellar regions. A 71-year-old woman presented with complaints of headaches and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a T2-hyperintense mass-like lesion involving the left posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses and left cavernous sinus, that had extended into the intrasellar and parasellar regions. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed enhancing vessel-like structures within the lesion during the arterial phase, which were observed to expand further in the late phase of the examination. This characteristic feature indicated increased vascularity, suggesting the presence of a capillary hemangioma. The patient underwent endoscopic resection via the endonasal transpterygoid approach, and the lesion was diagnosed histopathologically as a capillary hemangioma. To aid diagnosis and clinical management, radiologists should be aware of the imaging findings related to capillary hemangiomas.     

Renal peripelvic lymphatic cysts (lymphangiomas) associated with generalized lymphangiomatosis.

Renal peripelvic lymphatic cysts (lymphangiomas) are usually seen as an isolated finding. They appear as multiple mass lesions with low attenuation on computed tomography (CT), and show no contrast enhancement. We present a case of renal peripelvic lymphatic cysts associated with generalized lymphangiomatosis, and examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT, and lymphangiography. Multiplanar MRI demonstrated the extent of disease, including retroperitoneal lesions. The lesions had low-signal intensity on T1-weighted and high-signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The diagnosis of generalized lymphangiomatosis was verified by renal sinus cyst puncture, lymphangiography, and tissue biopsy.     

Renal peripelvic lymphatic cysts (lymphangiomas) associated with generalized lymphangiomatosis

Renal peripelvic lymphatic cysts (lymphangiomas) are usually seen as an isolated finding. They appear as multiple mass lesions with low attenuation on computed tomography (CT), and show no contiast enhancement. We present a case of renal peripelvic lymphatic cysts associated with generalized lymphangiomatosis, and examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT, and lymphangiography. Multiplanar MRI demonstrated the extent of disease, including retroperitoneal lesions. The lesions had low-signal intensity on T1-weighted and high-signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The diagnosis of generalized lymphangiomatosis was verified by renal sinus cyst puncture, lymphangiography, and tissue biopsy.     

蝶窦内异位垂体腺瘤的CT和MRI诊断

目的 探讨蝶窦内异位垂体腺瘤的CT和MRI表现,并评价2种影像检查方法的临床应用价值.方法 回顾性分析8例经组织学证实蝶窦内异位垂体腺瘤的影像学资料.8例患者均经CT和MR检查.结果 8例垂体瘤均位于蝶窦,与鞍内垂体不相连;3例呈卵圆形,不规则形5例,病灶最大径20～46 mm,边界均较清楚.CT表现:与脑灰质比较,平扫呈等密度7例,稍低密度1例,其中2例增强呈较均匀中度强化;病变周围的骨质不同程度受压、变形、硬化,其中5例并可见局部侵蚀状破坏;鞍底骨质完整3例,骨质破坏5例.MRI表现:与邻近脑厌质比较,在T1WI呈稍低信号2例,等信号6例,T2WI呈稍高信号2例,等信号6例,病变信号不均匀,内散在小泡状、细条状长T1、长T2信号,对应组织学上扩大的腺泡;增强后病变不均匀低中度强化,外观近似筛网状.2例行MR动态增强扫描,时间-信号强度曲线均为速升缓降璎.5例伴有空蝶鞍,5例包绕邻近海绵窦,与邻近颈内动脉分界不清,4例侵及斜坡.结论 T2WI小泡状、细条状高信号和增强后T1WI筛网状外观是该病的特征性表现.CT和MRI联合使用能够对该病的诊断、治疗提供更全面的信息.     

鼻窦骨肉瘤的CT和MRI诊断

目的探讨鼻窦骨肉瘤的CT和MRI表现并评价2种影像检查方法的临床应用价值。方法回顾性分析9例经组织学证实的鼻窦骨肉瘤患者的影像资料。结果9例中发生于上颌窦5例，筛窦3例，蝶窦1例；原发7例，继发于骨纤维异常增殖症及骨化性纤维瘤各1例。CT表现：受累部位骨质破坏，伴有形态不规则软组织肿块，边界不清，密度不均匀，内散在数量及形态不一的肿瘤骨，呈棉絮状3例，象牙质状2例，放射状2例，棉絮状和放射状1例，放射状和象牙质状1例。3例增强后呈不均匀低至中度强化。MRI表现：病变与脑实质比较，在T1WI上表现为低信号5例，等信号2例；T2WI表现为高信号4例、等信号3例，内部信号不均匀，散在数量不等、形态不一的极低信号影，对应CT所见的肿瘤骨，增强后可见中度到显著不均匀强化。MRI清楚显示病灶大小及伴发的改变。病变侵犯眼眶5例，翼腭窝、颞下窝4例，颅底3例，广泛侵犯颅面部结构1例。结论CT是显示肿瘤骨较好的影像检查方法，MRI能够更清楚、准确显示病变侵犯的范围，两者结合可为该病诊断和治疗提供更全面的影像信息。     

慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的CT和MRI诊断

目的探讨慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的CT和MRI表现及诊断价值。方法回顾性分析经手术、组织病理学证实的10例慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的影像学资料。结果慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎发生于蝶窦5例，上颌窦3例，筛窦2例。CT表现：受累窦腔内充以软组织影，其中1例伴斑点状钙化；窦壁骨质破坏，同时伴周围骨质增生肥厚。MRI表现：T1WI为低信号（与脑实质比较，以下相同）2例，等信号7例；T2WI信号不均匀，7例以低信号为主，2例以高信号为主；增强后病变明显强化。侵犯邻近结构：眼眶9例，其中6例累及眶尖区，可见不规则软组织肿块影，与邻近眼外肌分界不清楚，7例包绕视神经；6例侵犯海绵窦，可见形态不一的软组织影；脑膜增厚、强化5例，3例侵犯脑实质，表现为水肿1例，肉芽肿2例；4例侵犯翼腭窝及颞下窝；3例鼻咽部软组织增厚；2例上颌神经和1例下颌神经明显增粗、强化；3例面颊部软组织肿胀；1例硬腭骨质破坏。结论窦壁骨质破坏伴硬化、MR T2WI低信号、易侵犯眶尖及海绵窦为本病特征性影像学表现。结合CT和MRI2种检查方法能够对本病的诊断、鉴别和治疗提供更可靠的信息。     

A rare case of sphenoid giant cell tumor: Case report & review of imaging features post short-term denosumab treatment

Background: Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are locally aggressive but rarely malignant bone neoplasms that uncommonly involve the skull. In this report, we describe a tumor of the sphenoid sinus. Case presentation: A 51-year-old female was presented with headache, and bilateral decreased visual acuity, CT scan, and brain MRI revealed an infra-sellar enhancing tumor expanding to the sellar and supra-sellar region which proved to be a GCT. the patient had received 03 months of preoperative denosumab-based treatment and imaging follow-up showed regression in size and morphology modifications of tumor tissue. Conclusion: This is one of few reports to describe the appearance of sphenoid bone GCT, and the first report to highlight the effects of short-term denosumab treatment in GCTb in such a location.     

海绵窦内海绵状血管瘤的影像学诊断(附4例报告)

目的:探讨海绵窦海绵状血管瘤影像学特点,以提高其诊断水平。方法:回顾性分析经手术后病理证实的4例海绵窦海绵状血管瘤,均有CT和MRI检查资料,1例行DSA检查。结果:4例海绵窦海绵状血管瘤均位于左侧,CT表现为均匀的稍高密度影,伴蝶骨轻度骨质侵蚀,未见钙化。MRI检查见T1WI呈较脑灰质低的均匀信号,T2WI呈较脑灰质高的均匀信号,静脉注射钆喷酸葡甲胺后T1WI显示明显强化的均匀高信号,形态特点呈内小外大的哑铃状结构,边缘清晰。1例DSA检查见颈内动脉受压移位明显,但无管腔狭窄征象,于毛细血管期和窦期有浅淡的肿瘤染色。结论:MRI是术前诊断海绵窦海绵状血管瘤最具价值的检查手段,而CT、DSA可作为鉴别诊断工具。     

鼻硬结病CT和MRI诊断

目的探讨鼻硬结病的CT和MRI表现，提高其诊断准确性。资料与方法回顾性分析10例经病理证实的鼻硬结病的影像学资料。结果起源于鼻腔7例，鼻窦3例。CT表现：鼻腔硬结病表现为实性软组织影2例，索条影5例，7例均见中下鼻甲破坏，4例鼻中隔破坏；7例均侵及邻近鼻窦，其中上颌窦内壁可见不同程度的骨质破坏，其余各窦壁骨质明显增生硬化，以上颌窦、蝶窦最显著；2例侵犯眼眶，侵犯翼腭窝及颅内各1例。鼻窦硬结病表现为窦腔充以不规则软组织肿块影，相应处窦壁骨质破坏，同时伴周围骨质硬化，3例均侵犯翼腭窝，2例侵犯眼眶及颅内。MRI表现：T1WI呈等信号(与脑实质比较)3例，稍高信号4例；T277I呈等信号2例，明显低信号5例，但信号不均匀；均可见不同程度强化；窦腔外周伴阻塞性炎症，T1WI呈等或稍低信号，T2WI呈明显高信号，有明显强化。结论CT可清楚显示骨质改变，是诊断鼻腔硬结病的主要影像方法；MRI能准确显示病变向邻近结构侵犯的范围，为临床分期、制定治疗方案提供依据。CT和MRI两种影像方法结合能较准确地对鼻窦硬结病作出诊断。     

Sphenoidal mucoceles with intracranial extension.

Two cases of sphenoid sinus mucocele with intracranial extension are presented. Multiplanar computed tomography scans delineated the extent of these lesions, facilitating both preoperative diagnosis and proper clinical management. One lesion was isodense and the other hyperdense (98 Hounsfield units: 1,000 scale). Neither demonstrated significant enhancement after the administration of contrast medium.     

Imaging the sphenoid sinus: pictorial essay

This paper focuses on the spectrum of sphenoid sinus lesions that may be seen radiologically and the mapping of disease extent. Imaging plays a central role in the assessment of sphenoid sinus disease. Although primary sphenoid sinus disease is uncommon, this sinus is nevertheless affected secondarily by a variety of pathological processes.     

Sphenoid sinus ectopic pituitary adenomas: CT and MRI findings

Ectopic pituitary adenomas (EPAs) are rare lesions. The purpose of this study was to describe the CT and MRI features of sphenoid sinus EPAs. Eight patients with histology-proven EPAs in the sphenoid sinus, all of whom underwent CT and MRI, were reviewed retrospectively. The following imaging features were analysed: (i) size, (ii) margin, (iii) CT attenuation characteristics and (iv) MRI signal intensity. In addition, the involvement of adjacent structures and the time–intensity curve (TIC) of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI were analysed. All EPAs had well-defined margins and showed no relationship to the intrasellar pituitary gland. The mean size was 28 mm (range, 20–46 mm). On non-enhanced CT, the lesions appeared isodense to grey matter in 7 (88%) patients and hypodense in 1 (12%) patient. Only two patients underwent post-contrast CT, and they showed moderate enhancement. On T₁ weighted images, EPAs appeared isointense in 6 (75%) patients and hypointense in 2 (25%). On T₂ weighted images, the lesions appeared hyperintense in 2 (25%) patients and isointense in 6 (75%). EPAs showed mild to moderate heterogeneous contrast enhancement and exhibited a cribriform-like appearance. Two patients underwent DCE MRI; the TIC showed a rapidly enhancing and slow washout pattern. The following features were also seen: an empty sella, bone changes and involvement of the cavernous sinus (5 patients; 62.5%). In conclusion, a high index of suspicion for EPA and a familiarity with the imaging findings may help to diagnose this rare entity accurately.Sphenoid sinus ectopic pituitary adenomas (EPAs) are extremely rare, and most of the papers in the literature are case reports. A review of the English literature has shown, to date, fewer than 40 cases [1–6]. Furthermore, some authors think a pre-operative diagnosis of EPA is often difficult to make. We reviewed retrospectively the CT and MRI findings of eight patients with histology-proven EPAs in the sphenoid sinus. The findings in this paper may help to increase the awareness of this entity among both clinicians and radiologists. An accurate diagnosis of EPA will help to formulate the most appropriate management approach.