Xanthomatous Hypophysitis: A Novel Entity of Obscure Etiology

We report a case of xanthomatous hypophysitis, a recently described entity of obscure etiology affecting the pituitary gland, in a 43-yr-old women. Histologically it is characterized by infiltration of the anterior pituitary by foamy histiocytes which are strongly immunoreactive for CD68 (histiocytic marker) and are immunonegative for S100 and CD1a. Electron microscopy revealed histiocytes with abundant cytoplasmic lipid droplets and membrane bound vacuoles. Fragments of intact anterior pituitary with preserved vascular and reticulin networks are seen. Xanthomatous hypophysitis resembles neoplasm on clinical and radiologic grounds.     

Lymphocytic Hypophysitis Presenting as a Pituitary Tumor in a 63-Year-Old Man

This report describes a case of lymphocytic hypophysitis in a 63-year-old man who presented with symptoms of a pituitary mass lesion associated with hypothyroidism and hypogonadism. Postoperative endocrinological testing demonstrated gonadotropic, thyrotropic, and corticotropic hypopituitarism, and the patient was commenced on replacement therapy with hydrocortisone and levothyroxine. Histological examination of the pituitary tissue obtained by transsphenoidal surgery revealed lymphocytic hypophysitis without evidence of a pituitary adenoma. The vast majority of patients with lymphocytic hypophysitis are women particularly during pregnancy and the puerperium. Until recently only four men were reported in the literature. The pathogenesis of lymphocytic hypophysitis is uncertain but autoimmune mechanisms are possibly involved.     

Granulomatous and lymphocytic hypophysitis – are they immunologically distinct?

Hypophysitis includes three histopathologically distinct entities – granulomatous, lymphocytic and xanthomatous forms. Etiopathogenesis and the immunological differences among these is not well characterized. This study aims to explore the immunopathogenesis of granulomatous and lymphocytic forms of hypophysitis. Demographic, clinical, endocrine function and radiological features of 33 histologically confirmed cases of hypophysitis were reviewed. Immunophenotyping of inflammatory component was performed in 13/33 cases. Visual disturbances (46%), headache (36%), polyuria/polydipsia (6%), menstrual disturbance (6%) and galactorrhoea (6%) were the frequent presenting symptoms. Endocrine abnormalities were noted in 11/18 cases evaluated (61%). Hypothyroidism was the most common endocrine abnormality (33.33%) followed by hyperprolactinaemia (22%) and hypocortisolism (16.66%). On neuroimaging, sellar mass with variable contrast enhancement was observed. On histology, granulomatous hypophysitis (GH) was more common (84.84%) than lymphocytic hypophysitis (LH) (15.15%). In GH, the infiltrate had almost equal proportions of CD3+ T cells and CD68+ histiocytes. Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) predominated [CD4:CD8 < 1]. CD20+ B cell component ranged from <5% to 50%. Fibrosis, necrosis and giant cells accompanied GH. LH in contrast, had CD4+ T‐helper cell predominance [CD4: CD8 > 1]. CD68+ histiocytes constituted <20% and CD20+ B cells, 5–40% of the infiltrates. In conclusion, GH revealed cytotoxic T cell and histiocyte rich infiltrate in contrast to CD4+ T‐cell predominance in LH suggesting that the two forms have distinct immunological mechanisms in evolution, an autoimmune process in LH and type IV hypersensitivity response in GH.     

Lymphocytic Hypophysitis Masking a Suprasellar Germinoma in a 12-year-old Girl<197>A Case Report

Case history, light and electron microscopic findings of a case of a lymphocytic hypophysitis in coincidence with a suprasellar germinoma in a 12-year-old girl are reported. The girl presented with a long time case history of diabetes insipidus and subsequent panhypopituitarism. Two years after the diagnosis of diabetes insipidus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a tumorous enlargement of the sellar content and pituitary stalk. A transnasal exploration was initially performed and revealed a lymphocytic hypophysitis. Light microscopy showed a dense infiltration of mature lymphocytes and plasma cells in the interstitium of the anterior pituitary gland. The stalk area could not be exposed to exclude a germinoma. One year later the lesion relapsed despite dexamethason therapy and a second operation by another neurosurgeon had to be performed. Light microscopy showed lymphocytic infiltrates, fibrosis and necrosis. The diagnosis was a lymphocytic hypophysitis again. Though transcranially exposed only pituitary tissue was removed. No infundibular mass became visible at surgery as shown by MRI. The girl developed five months later multiple cerebral lesions, which revealed to be a germinoma. Lymphocytic hypophysitis in children is very rare and a coincedence with a germinoma has not been described from histopathological aspect until now. The origin of the pituitary infiltration is discussed.     

Xanthomatous meningioma: a case report with review of the literature

Xanthomatous meningioma is an extremely rare variant of meningioma that is characterized histopathologically by the presence of tumor cells with lipid-filled vacuolated cytoplasm. In this report, we describe the fifth documented case of xanthomatous meningioma and review its clinicopathological features. A 76-year-old Japanese male presented with dizziness. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a well-circumscribed tumor in the left parasagittal to frontal region with attachment of the dura mater. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed proliferation of polygonal to spindle cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and bland round to oval nuclei. Whorl formation and psammomas were scattered, and mitotic figures were rarely seen. A peculiar finding was the presence of extensive xanthomatous change continuing to the above-mentioned typical meningothelial meningioma. These tumor cells had clear vacuolated cytoplasm and bland round to oval nuclei. Immunohistochemically, xanthomatous cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen. Accordingly, an ultimate diagnosis of xanthomatous meningioma was made. Our clinicopathological analysis revealed that xanthomatous meningioma affects children to young persons or the elderly, and four of five cases were located in the supratentorial region. Although the detailed mechanism underlying the xanthomatous change has not been clarified, this change is thought to result from a metabolic abnormality of the neoplastic meningothelial cells. Further, xanthomatous change has also been reported in atypical and anaplastic meningiomas. Therefore, it is important to recognize that xanthomatous change can occur in meningiomas, and to avoid misidentifying these cells as macrophages.     

淋巴细胞性垂体炎的诊断与治疗

淋巴细胞性垂体炎(LYH)是一种较少见的自身免疫性内分泌疾病,以垂体组织内淋巴细胞浸润为特征,主要表现为颅内占位、垂体前叶功能减退和(或)中枢性尿崩症,需与其他类型的鞍区占位性病变鉴别.糖皮质激素治疗可以有效缩小病变并改善垂体功能.     

肉芽肿性垂体炎的诊断和治疗

目的 探讨肉芽肿性垂体炎的影像学特征及其诊断和治疗.方法 回顾性分析7例肉芽肿性垂体炎的临床表现、影像学特征、诊断和治疗.结果 7例肉芽肿性垂体炎术前误诊6例.临床表现主要为头痛、尿崩症、高泌乳素血症和垂体功能低下.影像学特征主要表现为鞍区病变沿增厚的垂体柄呈“舌状”向鞍上扩展.6例采用经鼻蝶窦入路,1例因术前诊断垂体脓肿而采用经额下入路手术治疗,术后口服激素替补治疗,多数症状缓解,影像学检查证实病灶明显缩小甚至消失.结论 肉芽肿性垂体炎手术治疗可明确病理诊断,缓解症状,术后应口服激素替补治疗,定期随访.     

IgG4相关性疾病的临床病例评析

目的提高对IgG4相关性疾病颅内病变的认识。 方法描述1例IgG4相关性疾病（IgG4-RD）颅内病变患者的诊治过程,总结其临床、影像学、病理特点,诊断和鉴别诊断,治疗和预后。 结果22岁女性,头痛、左眼视力下降10个月。6个月前左眼失明,眼球固定,左眼球后占位,病理示大量淋巴浆细胞浸润,IgG4＋浆细胞>50/高倍视野,IgG4（＋）/IgG比值>10%,予足量激素及小剂量免疫抑制剂治疗病情维持原状。2个月前停药。半月前突发右眼视力下降伴头痛加重,5天前右眼失明伴烦渴多尿,高钠血症。头颅MRI提示右侧视神经、鼻窦、鞍区、左侧颞叶及邻近脑膜异常信号。脑脊液压力、细胞学、生化均正常。予大剂量激素冲击治疗,序贯减量,联合环磷酰胺冲击治疗,患者右眼视力逐步恢复至0.3,头痛完全缓解,尿量改善,血钠正常。40余天后复查头颅MRI本次新发病灶明显好转。 结论IgG4-RD颅内病变可同时累及多个部位,但不伴颅外表现,可出现病情快速进展,及时治疗可避免不可逆损害。     

Complete Resolution of the Pituitary Mass Lesion and Improvement of Pituitary Function with Corticosteroid in Autoimmune Hypophysitis: A Case Report

BackgroundAutoimmune hypophysitis is the consequence of an immune-mediated inflammation of the pituitary gland, which is rare, and most frequently occurs in females during postpartum periods. It usually responds well to corticosteroid treatment with reported resolution of the pituitary mass lesion.Case ReportA 51 years male presented with a one-month history of lethargy, headache, nausea, proximal muscle weakness with intermittent flushing. He was a diabetic with metformin 500mg twice daily. No other remarkable medical history or family history of autoimmune disease. On examination, he had no neurological deficit with a normal visual field. His initial biochemical evaluation showed features of secondary hypothyroidism as evidenced by low free FT4 and suppressed TSH with normal electrolytes. The subsequent evaluation of his hormonal profile revealed panhypopituitarism. Contrast MRI of pituitary showed an enhanced homogenous mass and minimal stalk thickening with a dural tail and preserved posterior bright spot. He was managed with glucocorticoid 20 mg once daily for two weeks along with levothyroxine and testosterone replacement. After two weeks of treatment, he improved clinically. Repeat MRI imaging of the pituitary showed complete resolution of the homogenous mass.ConclusionAlthough autoimmune hypophysitis is rare in males, a careful clinical history with necessary hormonal investigations is required for the suspicion about the inflammatory pituitary disorders This current case highlights glucocorticoid as the primary modality of treatment and the need for long-term follow-up with periodic clinical assessment.     

A case of metaplastic meningioma with extensive xanthomatous change

We report a case of metaplastic meningioma with extensive xanthomatous change occurring in a 61‐year‐old woman. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a well‐demarcated, dura‐based mass measuring 7 cm in maximal diameter in the right occipital to parietal area. Under a clinical diagnosis of meningioma, right parietal craniotomy was performed. Histologically, the tumor showed extensive xanthomatous change together with the common features of meningothelial meningioma. Tumor cells showed diffuse xanthomatous change in various quantities, and xanthomatous tumor cells frequently showed a gradual transition to the non‐xanthomatous counterpart. The xanthomatous tumor cells showed immunopositivity for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, fatty acid synthase and several histiocytic markers (CD68, Ki‐M1p, MAC387, lysozyme, alpha 1‐antitrypsin and alpha 1‐antichymotrypsin). In addition, there was patchy infiltration of foamy macrophages. Since these histiocytes did not show immunopositivity for EMA, these cells were distinguished from the xanthomatous tumor cells. These two types of xanthomatous changes comprised approximately two‐thirds of the whole tumor tissue. Any atypical features such as necrosis, frequent mitotic figures or brain parenchymal invasion were not observed. We diagnosed this case as xanthomatous meningioma, WHO grade I.