Intrasellar arachnoid cysts

Thirteen pathologically documented intrasellar arachnoid cysts treated by transsphenoidal cyst excision and marsupialization were analyzed. Presenting symptoms included headache (7), visual loss (7), galactorrhea (4), and anterior pituitary dysfunction (2). Postoperatively, the 7 patients with visual loss and 4 with hyperprolactinemia improved. The 2 patients with anterior pituitary dysfunction did not improve and 2 additional patients required hormonal supplements. Based on this operative experience, the pathophysiology of these cysts is discussed. The indications for transsphenoidal exploration include the following: to relieve optic chiasm, pituitary stalk or gland compression, and to exclude the possibility of other sellar neoplasms.     

Transsphenoidal management of Rathke's cleft cysts a clinicopathological review of 10 cases

We report detailed data on 10 patients who underwent transsphenoidal microsurgical management of histopathologically confirmed Rathke's cleft cysts. Preoperatively, pituitary dysfunction was present in 90%, headaches in 80%, hyperprolactinemia in 70%, and visual interference in 40%. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging had 90% and 100% sensitivity, respectively, in disclosing the lesion. The mean follow-up duration was 22 months. There was no mortality. The only morbidity was sustained diabetes insipidus in one case. Resolution or improvement in preoperative dysfunction occurred in the majority of patients: headaches in 100%, visual deficits in 75%, normalization of hyperprolactinemia in 83%, and reversal of panhypopituitarism in 33%. We conclude that Rathke's cleft cysts can be managed safely and effectively with transsphenoidal drainage and partial excision of the wall.     

Radiologic characteristics and results of surgical management of Rathke's cysts in 43 patients.

Although Rathke's cysts are a relatively common autopsy finding, rarely have they been reported as a clinical entity. Because of recent improvements in neuroradiological imaging, cystic intrasellar and suprasellar lesions are discovered often, leading to questions about proper management. Against this background, we reviewed the data from 43 patients with Rathke's cysts treated by one neurosurgeon over a 13-year period, and present the results here. The 43 patients had a mean age of 34 years, and 77% were female. Headache was the most common symptom, followed by galactorrhea, visual field loss, and hypopituitarism. Computed tomographic (CT) scans were reviewed in 20 cases, magnetic resonance (MR) images were reviewed in 15, and both CT and MR studies were reviewed in 5 cases. Although all Rathke's cysts were discrete and well-defined by both CT and MR imaging, the diversity of locations, CT attenuations, and MR signal intensity make it difficult to establish the diagnosis by radiological criteria. Forty patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery and three underwent craniotomy. There was one recurrence at 25 months requiring a second operation, and the mean follow-up period was 62 months. Seven patients had persistent headaches. For symptomatic lesions suspected to be Rathke's cysts, the recommended treatment is simple drainage of the cyst with biopsy of the wall, when this can be done safely. Follow-up imaging should be minimal for asymptomatic patients, and radiation therapy is not indicated.     

Clinical, radiographic, and pathological features of symptomatic Rathke's cleft cysts

The clinical, radiographic, and pathological findings in 155 patients with symptomatic Rathke's cleft cysts are discussed. Eight patients were treated by the authors and 147 were collected in a review of the literature. This lesion occurred more often in female than male patients by a 2:1 margin, and the mean age at presentation was 38 years. The average patient had been symptomatic for nearly 3 years at the time of treatment, with the most common symptoms and signs being pituitary dysfunction, visual disturbances, and headaches. Affected children generally were pituitary dwarfs. The sella was enlarged in 80% of cases, and the cyst was situated in both an intrasellar and a suprasellar location in 71%. Computerized tomography revealed a low-density cystic mass with capsular enhancement in one-half of the cases. A variable appearance was seen with magnetic resonance imaging. Partial excision and drainage of the cyst by the transsphenoidal approach is the recommended treatment, as the recurrence rate is low. Most symptoms and signs improved or resolved following surgery with the exception of hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus. The cyst lining was usually composed of ciliated cuboidal or columnar epithelium. Theories as to the origin of Rathke's cleft cysts are also discussed.     

Surgical management of symptomatic intrasellar arachnoid cysts--two case reports

Two patients with symptomatic intrasellar arachnoid cyst were successfully treated. A 67-year-old female with a cyst 20 mm in diameter developed headache and visual disturbance. She was treated by transsphenoidal surgery. A 59-year-old male with a cyst measuring 35 x 30 x 50 mm causing headache, visual disturbance, and deterioration of consciousness was managed by wide resection of the cyst wall via craniotomy. Postoperative courses in both patients were uneventful. Transsphenoidal surgery may be suitable for small to medium-sized cysts, although tight packing of the sella is mandatory to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. However, craniotomy is recommended for large intra- and suprasellar arachnoid cysts to avoid this complication, and to achieve sufficient communication between the cyst and the subarachnoid cistern.     

Surgical treatment of symptomatic Rathke cleft cysts: clinical features and results with special attention to recurrence

OBJECT: Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) are rarely symptomatic. The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical, neuroimaging, surgical, and pathological features of symptomatic RCCs with special attention to their recurrence. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 53 patients with pathologically confirmed symptomatic RCCs. There were 28 female and 25 male patients, ranging in age from 11 to 68 years (mean 37 years). Common clinical presentations included headache, visual impairment, and endocrine disturbance. The most common endocrine disturbances were hyperprolactinemia and diabetes insipidus. Most of these improved or were resolved after surgery, with the exception of diabetes insipidus and panhypopituitarism. The cysts were intrasellar with suprasellar extension in 33 patients, and ranged in size from 5 to 40 mm (mean 17 mm). In the 50 magnetic resonance (MR) images that were reviewed, the signal intensities were quite variable. Fourteen MR images demonstrated enhancement after an injection of Gd. Intraoperatively, the cyst contents were found to be yellowish (18 patients [37%]) and mucoid (25 patients [51%]). Pathological examinations revealed a pseudostratified columnar epithelium in 26 patients (49%). Abundant squamous metaplasia and a stratified squamous epithelium were also found in 12 patients (23%). Follow-up MR images revealed cyst recurrences that required a repeated operation in six patients. Statistically significant risk factors for a recurrence included enhancement of the lesion on MR images (p = 0.017), the extent of cyst removal (p = 0.012), and the presence of squamous epithelium (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Rathke cleft cysts are associated with a variety of clinical presentations and sometimes confusing intraoperative and pathological findings. Close postoperative observation with neuroimaging and neuroophthalmological assessment is necessary, especially after a partial removal, as in cases with squamous metaplasia.     

Amenorrhea-galactorrhea and craniopharyngioma

A 40-year-old woman had a 1-year history of amenorrhea-galactorrhea. She was found to have an intrasellar tumor with suprasellar extension and a prolactin level of 98.1 ng/mL. Subtotal resection of the tumor resulted in a return of the prolactin level to normal within 4 days of the operation and of the prolactin response to thyrotropin releasing hormone, accompanied by the disappearance of the galactorrhea. Histologic examination revealed a typical craniopharyngioma. These observations indicate that one important mechanism of hyperprolactinemia in patients with craniopharyngioma is direct encroachment on the hypothalamus and/or pituitary stalk by the tumor and interruption of prolactin inhibiting factor.     

Management of Rathke's cleft cysts

BACKGROUND: Incidental diagnosis of Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) has increased due to the improvements in imaging techniques; however, symptomatic cases are rare and accurate preoperative diagnosis can be difficult. METHODS: Files and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 10 surgically treated patients with RCC and 8 conservatively managed cases with a suspected diagnosis were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical, radiological, and histological features as well as intraoperative findings were scrutinized. RESULTS: In the surgical group, headache was present in 4 patients, hormonal abnormality in 4, visual deficits in 3, and otolaryngological symptoms in 2. Two of the nonsurgical cases had hyperprolactinemia, and the remaining were asymptomatic. The cyst had suprasellar extension (SSE) in 9 patients and was entirely suprasellar in 1 in the surgical group. It was purely intrasellar in 6 nonsurgical cases and had SSE in 2. The cyst content showed hyperintense MRI signal in the majority of T1 and T2 images in both groups. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed in 8 and transcranial surgery in 2 patients. Squamous metaplasia and inflammation was present in 3 cases each. Initial hormonal deficiencies did not improve postoperatively and new deficits were observed in 2 cases. There was no recurrence with an average follow-up of 32 months. CONCLUSIONS: Rathke's cleft cysts is a rare pathology with a wide spectrum of clinical and radiological features. Reactive inflammation of the normal pituitary gland may have a role in the pathogenesis of hormonal deficiency, in addition to compression. Preoperative recognition of the anteriorly displaced normal residual gland may be important in avoiding postoperative hormonal deficiency after transsphenoidal approach.     

Galactorrhea and amenorrhea in burn patients

INTRODUCTION: Galactorrhea and/or amenorrhea, although uncommonly reported in post-burn patients, is a complex problem to treat. Patient is reluctant to volunteer history of these symptoms, unless asked specifically. AIM: To study profile of adult female patients with galactorrhea and/or amenorrhea in post burn period. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A prospective study of all adult female patients presenting with or detected to have galactorrhea and/or amenorrhea in post burn period was conducted over 6 month's period. Detailed clinical examination, estimation of LH, FSH, Prolactin levels and X-ray of skull was done in all patients. The data collected was analyzed. Patients with hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea were treated with Bromocriptine for 3 weeks to 3 months. In all patients with amenorrhea, pregnancy was ruled out by gynecological examination and urine pregnancy test. RESULTS: During this period, 30 patients (15.15%) were detected to have galactorrhea and/or amenorrhoea. The extent of burn in these patients was 20-65%of body surface area. Out of 30 patients, 5 had galactorrhea and amenorrhea, 1 galactorrhea alone and 24 had amenorrhea alone. Analysis of voluntary disclosures and detection on interrogation was done. Till the end of study, 4 patients with galactorrhea had complete relief, 2 patients reported reduction in discharge. DISCUSSION: Galactorrhea was distressing for all and was always associated with high prolactine levels .The reverse was not true. All the patients had chest burns besides other body areas. Association was noted between menstrual aberration and ovulatory phase at the time of burn. CONCLUSION: Galactorrhea and menstrual disturbances do exist in female patients in reproductive age group in post burn period and patients should be especially interrogated for these symptoms by the burn care providers.     

Giant intrasellar arachnoid cyst manifesting as adrenal insufficiency due to hypothalamic dysfunction--case report--

A 67-year-old man first noticed loss of pubic and axillary hair in 1992 and then a visual field defect in 2001. He experienced loss of consciousness attributed to hyponatremia in April 2002. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a giant intrasellar cystic mass, 40 mm in diameter, that had compressed the optic chiasm. The patient complained of chronic headache, and neurological examination revealed bitemporal hemianopsia. Preoperative endocrinological examination indicated adrenal insufficiency, and hypothyroidism due to hypothalamic dysfunction. The patient underwent endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. The cyst membrane was opened and serous fluid was drained. Histological examination identified the excised cyst membrane as arachnoid membrane. The patient's headaches resolved postoperatively, but the bitemporal hemianopsia and endocrinological function were unchanged. This arachnoid cyst associated with hypothalamic dysfunction might have been caused by an inflammatory episode in the suprasellar region.     

Long-term surgical results of microprolactinomas

Sixty three patients with microprolactinoma were studied by long-term follow-up after surgical cure. Postoperative normalization of prolactin (PRL) was seen in 38 (60%) of the total 63 cases, and hyperprolactinemia recurred in 5 (13%) during the follow-up period. Spontaneous restoration of menstruation occurred in 45 (71%), and, in 41 (65%), regular menstrual cycle as continuing at the time of the last follow-up. 34 (72%) of 47 patients who wanted children became pregnant, and 31 of these had a subsequent successful delivery. Clinical cure by surgical treatment alone, followed by spontaneous restoration of menstruation and continuation of regular cycle during the follow-up period after pregnancy and delivery was seen in 41 (65%) of the total cases. From these results, it was concluded that transsphenoidal surgery should be the treatment of first choice for microprolactinoma when complete cure is required.     

A case of male acromegaly with galactorrhea

A 43-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with complaints of headache and nasal obstruction. He has noted increasing hand and foot size with decreasing libido and pollakiuria for ten years. On admission, he showed galactorrhea. His visual symptoms were slightly decreased. Endocrinological evaluation revealed high serum levels of GH and prolactin. A plain skull X-ray showed acromegalic features with remarkable destruction of dorsum sellae. A contrast enhanced CT demonstrated an intrasellar high density mass extending to the sphenoid sinus and the right ethmoidal sinus. A cerebral angiogram was nor.al. Surgery was then performed with the transsphenoidal approach. A soft reddish brown mass was found in the sphenoid sinus and the bilateral cavernous sinus extending from the sella turcica. Histologically the tumor was eosinophilic adenoma. There were numerous cells exhibiting immunostaining for both GH and PRL in the immunocytochemical study. Postoperative course was uneventful. His visual impairment improved soon after the operation. Serum GH and PRL levels decreased to 38 and 130 ng/ml. He was treated with conventional irradiation (500 rads), so remained galactorrhea and hyperhidrosis. One year after the operation, there is no regrowth of the residual tumor.     

Percutaneous treatment of the liver hydatid cysts under sonographic guidance

This paper is a retrospective study of the first 51 cases of liver hydatid cysts, which underwent a conservative treatment between April 1996-December 2000. There were 28 females and 23 males with a mean age of 40.1 years (7-65), which had 63 liver hydatid cysts. In the right liver lobe were located 46 cysts, in the left liver lobe were located 7 cysts and in 10 cases cysts were located in both liver lobes. In 4 cases a pulmonary hydatidosis was associated. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan were routinely performed and the cysts were classified in type I and II after Gharbi's classification. All of these 63 cysts were treated by ultrasound guided fine-needle percutaneous puncture with aspiration and instillation of sterile alcohol 95 degrees. Pre and postoperative the patients were treated with mebendazol or albendazol. They were followed-up by ultrasound and CT scan examination in the second day postoperative and monthly. No new cysts were noted during an average follow-up of 14.7 months and maximal cyst diameter decreased with minimum 72%. Two episodes of reversible anaphylaxis were encountered. The mean hospital stay was 3.3 days. In this paper the indications for conservative treatment and preliminary results of this method are discussed.     

A recurrent case of TSH-PRL secreting microadenoma following hypothyroidism

A thirty-seven-year-old housewife whose chief complaints were recurrence of galactorrhea and amenorrhea three years after having a selective adenomectomy. Hormonal examination done as a result of the continuation of the endocrinism revealed a hyperprolactinemia and high level of TRH due to hypothyroidism. Serum prolactin responded to neither TSH stimulation nor L-Dopa suppression tests. In addition, serum TSH did not react to TRH test. Contrast enhancement CT showed an intrasellar enhancing mass the size of which was less than 1 cm in diameter. A unilateral septal transsphenoidal operation was performed; and a soft white-yellowish mass 7 X 5 X 5 mm in size was found in the left inferolateral aspect of the pituitary gland. Histological studies of frozen sections of this revealed it to be a pituitary adenoma, with the border between tumor and normal tissue being quite distinct. Immunocytochemical diagnosis further confirmed it to be both PRL and TSH producing adenoma. Electron microscopy showed more than three different hormone-producing cells. The PRL cells contained large, and the TSH cells had small hormone granules; but some tumor cells contained secretory granules of both sizes suggesting production of both PRL and TSH in the cytoplasm. It is necessary in the management of patients like this, during the post-operative period, to adequately institute a thyroid hormone replacement therapy so as to prevent recurrence.     

Hyperprolactinemia, intrasellar pituitary tissue pressure, and the pituitary stalk compression syndrome

The intrasellar pressure has been studied in a consecutive series of 24 patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma. The mean intrasellar pressure for the group was 23 +/- 2.5 mm Hg (+/- standard error of the mean), with a mean pulse pressure of 3.5 +/- 1 mm Hg. The waveform partly resembled the arterial configuration. The results are correlated with the radiological and endocrinological features of the tumors. A hypothesis is proposed to explain the mechanism of hyperprolactinemia associated with the pituitary stalk compression syndrome.     

Clinical study of symptomatic Rathke cleft cyst]

The clinical, radiographic findings in 12 patients with symptomatic Rathke cleft cysts (RCC) are presented. The mean age of these patients was 52 years, and 9 of the patients were female. Visual disturbance was the most common symptom, followed by headache. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were reviewed in 11 cases. In two cases, the cyst fluid had low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high intensity on T2-weighted images. In eight cases the cyst fluid had iso-to-high intensity on both T1 and T2-weighted images. On dynamic MRI study using Gd-DTPA, normal anterior pituitary gland was seen superior to the RCC in 4 cases, anterior in 4, and inferior in 2 cases. In accordance with the MRI findings, transcranial approach was chosen in 4 cases and the transsphenoidal route was used in eight cases. Most symptoms and signs improved or resolved following surgery with the exception of those cases with a long-standing history of hypopituitarism. We experienced two cases of recurrence at 7 months, and 65 months respectively requiring a second operation, and the mean follow-up period for all cases was 78 months. Differential diagnosis between RCC and craniopharyngioma should be carefully made in the recurrent cases by surgical specimens of the cyst wall. Partial resection of the cyst wall and drainage of the contents via the transsphenoidal route is a safe and effective procedure in the majority of cases, but the transcranial approach is the treatment of choice in cases in which the cyst is entirely located in the suprasellar region.     

Relapse of hyperprolactinemia after transsphenoidal surgery for microprolactinoma: lessons from long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE: The long-term results of transsphenoidal surgery for microprolactinoma, with particular reference to the question of permanence of relapse of hyperprolactinemia after biochemical cure, are examined. METHODS: Patients whose operations were performed in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, by one neurosurgeon (GMT) have been followed up for between 15 and 21 years after surgery was performed. RESULTS: Of a cohort of 44 patients with confirmed microprolactinoma at the time of surgery, 8 patients (18.2%) who experienced recurrent hyperprolactinemia postoperatively continued to be monitored. Selective hypophysectomy resulted in normal prolactin levels in all patients initially. Relapse occurred at 2 to 10 years (mean, 5.3 yr) postoperatively, but was permanent in only two patients (4.5%). Of the remaining six patients (13.6%), four (9.1%) became normoprolactinemic after 6 or 7 years' recurrence, and two (4.5%) are now only marginally hyperprolactinemic (prolactin >500 but <700 mU/L) at 15 and 18 years after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. CONCLUSION: The recurrence of hyperprolactinemia after transsphenoidal surgery for microprolactinoma is not necessarily a permanent feature and does not inevitably indicate operative failure.     

Transsphenoidal microsurgery for craniopharyngioma.

We report on our series of 32 craniopharyngiomas operated on by the transsphenoidal route since 1983. In 15 of 19 patients (79%) with primary transsphenoidal surgery and in 8 of 13 patients (62%) with a transsphenoidal approach following previous surgical procedures, the craniopharyngioma was totally removed. Primary transsphenoidal surgery is a safe and successful procedure for intrasellar and suprasellar infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngiomas. In secondary surgery and in the presence of tumor calcifications the indication for this approach must be considered more carefully. Postoperative posterior pituitary deficiency is a frequent occurrence. Anterior pituitary function usually remains unchanged after surgery except for normalization of hyperprolactinemia.     

Alcohol sclerotherapy of non-parasitic cysts of the liver

Between 1980 and 1987, nine patients with non-parasitic cysts of the liver were treated with computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture and evacuation of the cyst contents followed by injection of absolute alcohol as a sclerosing agent. During the same period only one patient was treated with surgery. The patients included seven women and two men with a mean age of 62 years. Three patients had a single cyst and six patients had multiple cysts. The size of the largest cysts varied between 5 and 20 cm (mean 10 cm). Patients with multiple liver cysts had repeated punctures and sclerosing procedures (up to eight times); 50-3100 ml of cyst fluid (mean 650 ml) was drained per procedure. One patient had symptoms of moderate alcohol intoxication; otherwise no complications were noted. Follow-up was performed with computed tomography or ultrasonography for 8-54 months (median 18 months). The results have been considered successful in eight out of nine patients who had cyst regression and reduced symptoms. Two patients, however, required additional surgical treatment due to residual and multiple cysts. Computed tomography-guided alcohol sclerotherapy of non-parasitic liver cysts appears to be a safe and effective initial therapy.     

Rathke's cleft cyst--report of three cases

Three cases of symptomatic Rathkes' cleft cyst are described. Case 1. A 51-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of intermittent headache, in April, 1985. He was neurologically free, but skull films disclosed a ballooning of the sella with thinning of the dorsum sellae. CT scan showed enlargement of the sella, but no abnormal density area in the sellar region. MRI revealed a round mass with high signal intensity located just posteriorly to the pituitary body. By a transsphenoidal approach, a thin-walled cyst was found at the posterior portion of the sella. Turbid mucinous fluid and the capsule of the cyst were subtotally removed. Histologic section of the specimen demonstrated that its wall was composed of a loose fibrous tissue lined by a single layer of ciliated cuboidal epithelium containing some goblet cells. Electron microscopy showed ciliated cuboidal cells, cells with microvilli, cells with light and large granules, and basal cells abutting on the basal lamina. Case 2. A 33-year-old female was referred to the hospital with complaints of severe headache and decreased visual acuity 0.02 in the left and 0.1 in the right, in July, 1985. Visual field examination revealed bitemporal hemianopsia. She had amenorrhea, galactorrhea and polyuria. CT scan and metrizamide CT cisternography detected a low density mass in the suprasellar region. Endocrinological studies disclosed hyperprolactinemia with partial hypopituitarism. She had a right frontal craniotomy and a suprasellar cyst was subtotally removed. Histologically, a cystic wall was lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium supported by a loose fibrous tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)