Hypophysitis associated with a ruptured Rathke's cleft cyst in a woman, during pregnancy

We report the case of a 29-yr-old woman who first presented an aseptic meningitis at the beginning of a pregnancy. She was admitted one month later with headaches and vomiting. Panhypopituitarism with diabetes insipidus was diagnosed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data suggested the existence of lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis, with inflammation of the suprasellar area. No new symptoms were noticed until 6 months later when this patient pointed out troubles of the visual field, due to a compression of the optic chiasma. Three boluses of 1 g methylprednisolone were prescribed, with no effects. After delivery, the defects of the visual field increased. A neurosurgical intervention was decided. Diagnosis of Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) was made. We concluded that this patient presented a rupture of a RCC, which occurred at the beginning of pregnancy, associated later with panhypopituitarism with diabetes insipidus, due to a probable hypophysitis. The end of the pregnancy was marked by consequences of an increased volume of the RCC. To our knowledge, this case is the first described during pregnancy.     

石斛类叶鞘的显微鉴定研究

商品石斛的植物来源复杂,规格繁多,外形鉴定较困难。为了准确鉴定石斛的品种,对常作为药用的16种石斛属(Dendrobium Sw)植物的叶鞘进行了显微观察,发现其表皮细胞的形状,大小,所含草酸钙结晶的形状、大小、分布等种间区别较明显,可作为鉴别石斛种类的科学依据之一。本文对金钗石斛D.nobile Lindl。等16种石斛的叶鞘表面特征加以描述,并附主要特征图和检索表。