Symptomatic Arachnoid Cyst in the Sellar Region: Case Report

A case of a large symptomatic intrasellar arachnoid cyst with suprasellar extension is reported. A 59-year-old woman was admitted because of headache and visual field defect caused by optic nerve compression. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large intrasellar cyst extending into the suprasellar cistern, with compression of optic nerves. Transsphenoidal approach with cystectomy was performed. Histological study revealed that the cyst wall was composed of dense collagenous fibrous tissue and epithelial cells. The pathophysiology and the MRI finding of intrasellar arachnoid cysts are discussed.