Accurate preoperative diagnosis of a Rathke cleft cyst with the aid of a novel classification for sellar cystic lesions and a diagnostic algorithm decision: Tools for differentiating cystic sellar lesions with a representative case.

Background: Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) is a benign lesion in the sellar and suprasellar compartments. Similarly, pituitary adenomas can present with cystic morphology, making it a differential diagnosis when evaluating a patient with a cystic lesion in the sellar region. Surgical goals differ between RCCs and pituitary adenomas as the first can achieve remission of symptoms with cyst decompression in contrast to pituitary adenomas where complete resection would be the main goal. Imaging analysis alone may not be sufficient to define a preoperative surgical plan. The combination of imaging and conjoined use of validated tools may provide valuable insights to the clinician when defining a surgical approach. Case Description: We present a case of a 27-year-old male with a 3-month history of visual disturbances and headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic lesion in the sellar compartment with compression of nearby structures. The authors were able to accurately diagnose this sellar lesion as an RCC with the conjoined aid of two classifications proposed in the literature. Cyst evacuation was performed with relief of symptoms and improved visual outcomes at follow-up. Conclusion: While cystic adenomas can require total resection for cure, RCCs can show marked improvement with partial resection and evacuation of its contents. An accurate preoperative diagnosis can lead the surgeon to opt for the best surgical approach.

Sellar xanthogranuloma as a diagnostic challenge: a report on five cases.

Xanthogranulomas are considered rare tumors, with their sellar and non-sellar frequency ranging from 1.6 to 7% among intracranial lesions, and described as a separate entity by the World Health Organization in 2000. The diagnosis of sellar xanthogranulomas is challenging, given their uncertain origin and clinical course. In addition, the limited reporting of sellar xanthogranuloma cases and the absence of characteristic images make these entities difficult to distinguish from other cystic lesions of the sellar region, such as adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas, Rathke's cleft cysts, pituitary tumors, arachnoid cysts, epidermoid cysts, and dermoid cysts. Here, we describe the clinical presentation, radiological findings, immunohistochemical/histopathological analysis, and the ultrastructural examination by transmission electron microscopy of five sellar xanthogranulomas cases reported in two care centers in Cordoba, Argentina. Two males and three females between 37 and 73 years of age (average 51.8 years) presented with persistent headaches, generalized endocrine defects, and visual problems. MRI revealed cystic formations in the sellar region, which usually projected into adjacent tissues such as the suprasellar region or cavernous sinuses, and compressed other structures such as the optic chiasm, pituitary gland, and cranial nerves. All patients underwent surgical intervention to remove the tumor tissue. The histopathological analysis of the samples showed cellular tissue with a xanthogranulomatous appearance, inflammatory cellular infiltrate (mainly lymphocytes and macrophages), fibroblasts, abundant collagen fibers, and hemorrhages. An ultrastructural analysis helped to identify cellular infiltrates and granules resulting from tumor cell activity. The data support the hypothesis that sellar xanthogranulomas could occur as an inflammatory reaction secondary to the rupture and hemorrhage of a previous cystic process, thereby generating an expansion of the tumor body toward adjacent tissues. The information obtained from these cases contributes to the current knowledge about this disease's origin and clinical and histological evolution. However, the scarcity of patients and the observed phenotypic heterogeneity make its diagnosis still challenging. Undoubtedly, more investigations are needed to provide additional information in order to be able to achieve a more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of this rare disease.

Approach to the Patient: Differential Diagnosis of Cystic Sellar Lesions.

Cystic lesions arising in the sellar region are not uncommon and encompass cystic pituitary adenomas, Rathke cleft cysts, craniopharyngiomas, and arachnoid cysts. Their clinical presentation may be similar, including headache, visual field defects, and anterior pituitary hormone deficits, which makes differential diagnosis challenging. On the other hand, imaging features may indicate certain pathologies. In this approach to the patient, we describe the case of a patient who presented with right temporal hemianopsia and a sellar/suprasellar cystic lesion, which was determined to be Rathke cleft cyst. We discuss the imaging characteristics that may suggest a particular diagnosis between Rathke cleft cyst, cystic pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, and arachnoid cyst and propose a flowchart for aiding in the imaging differential diagnosis.

[Collision sellar lesions: pituitary adenoma and Rathke cleft cyst]. / Lesiones sincrónicas selares: adenoma hipofisario y quiste de la bolsa de Rathke.

Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) are a slow-growing, benign, cystic lesions that arises from the remnants of the primitive ectoderm and Rathke's pouch. They present a common origin with pituitary adenomas (PA), however, the concomitant presentation of a PA and a RCC rarely occur. We present a case of a 41-year-old female with Cushing's disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed two synchronic lesions in the sellar region. An endoscopic transnasal approach was performed, with complete excision of both. The histological studies revealed an ACTH secreting PA and a RCC. The patient presented clinical and endocrinological remission six months after surgery. With the presence of cystic lesion at the sellar region, and the concomitant finding of a pituitary adenoma, RCC should be considered.

El quiste de la bolsa de Rathke (QBR) es una entidad benigna de crecimiento lento que proviene del remanente del ectodermo primitivo. Presenta un origen común con los adenomas hipofisarios (AH), sin embargo, la presentación sincrónica de un AH y un QBR es infrecuente. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 41 años con enfermedad de Cushing. Se realizó resonancia magnética con el hallazgo de dos lesiones en región selar. Se hizo un abordaje transnasal endoscópico, con exéresis completa de ambas. El informe de anatomía patológica reveló un AH corticotropo y un QBR. Tuvo una remisión clínica analítica endocrinológica a los seis meses postquirúrgicos. Ante el hallazgo de una imagen quística a nivel selar concomitante con un adenoma hipofisario, debe ser considerada la posibilidad diagnóstica de un QBR.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula rupture after Rathke's cleft cyst endoscopic resection: Case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is the most frequent vascular malformation of the spine and accounts for approximately 70% of all vascular spinal malformations. In rare cases, SDAVF rupture and subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage or intramedullary hematoma may occur. The aim of this article is to present a fatal case of SDAVF rupture after a Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) endoscopic resection. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 80-year-old female was referred to our hospital with a clinical presentation of bilateral reduction in visual acuity, bitemporal hemianopsia, and sellar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) highly suggestive of RCC. After the first endonasal endoscopic surgery, the cyst was partially removed and vision improved. No signs of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak were observed. After 1 year, the patient returned because of RCC recurrence and decreased visual acuity. In the second procedure, the lesion was totally resected and CSF leak was observed. A nasoseptal flap was rotated to cover the skull base defect. The patient developed subtle paraparesis followed by paraplegia on the 4th postoperative day. The dorsal spine MRI revealed a T3-T4 intramedullary hematoma. A dorsal laminectomy was performed and a SDAVF was observed. During microsurgery, at the right T3 nerve root level, an arteriovenous shunting point was identified, coagulated, and divided. The intramedullary hematoma was evacuated. The patient developed neurogenic and septic shock and died. CONCLUSION: Venous hypertension, venous wall fragility, and venous thrombosis seem to be the main factors involved in SDAVF rupture. In this particular case, reduction of the extravascular pressure and sudden variation in the pressure gradient caused by sustained CSF leak, also appeared to play an important role in SDAVF rupture. It may represent one more complication related to radical resection of RCC.

Lesiones sincrónicas selares: adenoma hipofisario y quiste de la bolsa de Rathke / Collision sellar lesions: pituitary adenoma and Rathke cleft cyst

Resumen El quiste de la bolsa de Rathke (QBR) es una entidad benigna de crecimiento lento que proviene del remanente del ectodermo primitivo. Presenta un origen común con los adenomas hipofisarios (AH), sin embargo, la presentación sincrónica de un AH y un QBR es infrecuente. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 41 años con enfermedad de Cushing. Se realizó resonancia magnética con el hallazgo de dos lesiones en región selar. Se hizo un abordaje transnasal endoscópico, con exéresis completa de ambas. El informe de anatomía patológica reveló un AH corticotropo y un QBR. Tuvo una remisión clínica analítica endocrinológica a los seis meses postquirúrgicos. Ante el hallazgo de una imagen quística a nivel selar concomitante con un adenoma hipofisario, debe ser considerada la posibilidad diagnóstica de un QBR.

Abstract Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) are a slow-growing, benign, cystic lesions that arises from the remnants of the primitive ectoderm and Rathke's pouch. They present a common origin with pituitary adenomas (PA), however, the concomitant presentation of a PA and a RCC rarely occur. We present a case of a 41-year-old female with Cushing's disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed two synchronic lesions in the sellar region. An endoscopic transnasal approach was performed, with complete excision of both. The histological studies revealed an ACTH secreting PA and a RCC. The patient presented clinical and endocrinological remission six months after surgery. With the presence of cystic lesion at the sellar region, and the concomitant finding of a pituitary adenoma, RCC should be considered.

Rathke's cleft cyst infections and pituitary abscesses: case series and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Pituitary abscesses (PAs) are a rare clinical entity which may arise from normal pituitary tissue or underlying lesions within the gland. Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are not commonly associated with the development of PA. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of three patients with PAs within RCCs at a single university center and review of the literature. RESULTS: Three cases are reported. The first case presented with fever and headache and a history of prior surgery due to RCC and a recent respiratory tract infection. The second case had a history of recent skin infections and presented with sudden onset headache and hypopituitarism. In the third case, chronic visual field impairment prompted an ophthalmologic evaluation resulting in a diagnosis of an adenoma and an infected RCC. In all three cases, an endoscopic endonasal approach was performed to drain infected tissue and allowed microbiological identification of gram-positive cocci, followed by treatment with antibiotics for at least three weeks. Cases in the literature are scarce and the diagnosis is usually made intraoperatively due to non-specific manifestations and imaging. PAs arising from underlying pituitary lesions are less common than primary PAs. Differential diagnosis should include pituitary apoplexy, hypophysitis and other cystic lesions. CONCLUSION: PAs occurring in RCCs are infrequent. Clinical manifestations are commonly subacute, without septic symptoms. Imaging is usually non-specific. Preoperative diagnosis is infrequent and a broad differential diagnosis should be considered. Empirical antimicrobial therapy should be initiated and adjusted after obtaining cultures to reduce the rate of recurrence and improve clinical outcomes.

Collision sellar lesions: coexistence of pituitary adenoma and Rathke cleft cyst-a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Collision sellar lesions represent the coexistence of distinct histopathological lesions found in the sella turcica. They are uncommon entities and have mainly been reported as pituitary adenoma (PA) associated to Rathke cleft cyst (RCC). Pre- and perioperative diagnosis is difficult, since most of the cases appear clinically, radiologically, and macroscopically as solitary cystic sellar lesion. METHODS: A retrospective study of histological reports from patients operated for PA from 2013 to 2018 in a single neurosurgery reference center was performed. Patients who also exhibited RCC in the histological sections were included. Clinical and biochemical data were collected from medical files. MRI scans and histopathological slides were also reviewed. RESULTS: Among 554 PA, five patients (0.9%) presented the association of PA and RCC. At diagnosis, patients had median age of 60 years (33-78) with, at least, one pituitary dysfunction, and visual field loss and/or headache. There was a female predominance (n = 3). All patients had nonfunctioning PA. MRI studies showed a predominantly cystic lesion and were unable to distinguish both lesions. The definitive diagnosis was made by histopathology. CONCLUSION: The association of PA and RCC is extremely rare. On MRI, they appear as a solid-cystic or cystic sellar tumors. RCC can rupture causing granulomatous reaction with cholesterol crystal formation, which can be mistaken for craniopharyngiomas during surgery. Therefore, collision sellar lesion must be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic sellar lesions. The definitive diagnosis is made by histological study.

Anatomical, Histological, and Histochemical Analyses of the Scent Glands of the Scorpion Mud Turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides).

Fossil evidence suggests that scent glands are basal features of Testudines. However, we know little about the structure of these glands in the Brazilian Kinosternidae. In this study, we described the macroscopic anatomy, histology, and histochemistry of the scent glands of three males and three females of Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides from the Marajó mesoregion, Pará State, Brazil. In all of the specimens analyzed, regardless of sex, we found four scent glands, including two axillary and two inguinal glands that were structurally similar to each other. Each gland consisted of a single holocrine secretory lobule, a large lumen surrounded by relatively thin glandular secretory epithelium, an adjacent narrow layer of loose connective tissue, and a thick layer of skeletal striated muscle tissue surrounded by a serous tunic. The secretory epithelium produced a characteristic malodorous yellowish substance that was passed via a single duct through a bone channel in the bridge connecting the carapace to the plastron and excreted through an outer pore in the plate of each respective gland. Histologically, the secretory epithelium presented cells with two types of secretory vacuoles. Type 1 vacuoles stained red were the largest and most frequently found, and stained positively with Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), suggesting they contained glycoproteic complexes. Type 2 vacuoles were translucent, smaller in size and fewer in number, and negative for PAS staining. Because they are very primitive structures, scent glands must play important roles in the lives of chelonians, but their real function remains unknown. Several hypotheses suggest that they can act as protection against ectoparasites, as a repellent of predators, in addition to attracting mates and eliciting other pheromonal responses. In this study, all animals reacted by exuding malodorous substances when handled, as a form of defense. However, these are just assumptions that need to be clarified with additional studies on animal behavior. Anat Rec, 303:1489-1500, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.

Quiste de bolsa de Rathke e hiperprolactinemia, una causa infrecuente de amenorrea primaria / Rathke cleft cysts and hyperprolactinemia, an uncommon cause of primary amenorrhea

El quiste de la bolsa de Rathke es una lesión epitelial benigna de la región selar, formada a partir de remanentes embrionarios. La mayoría de los casos son asintomáticos, aunque pudiera presentarse con cefalea, disfunción hipofisaria y trastornos visuales, muy infrecuentemente como apoplejía hipofisaria. Se presenta el caso de una paciente que, habiendo presentado amenorrea primaria, se le realiza el diagnóstico de quiste de la bolsa de Rathke con hiperprolactinemia, logrando menarquia luego del tratamiento con cabergolina.

Rathke's cyst is a benign epithelial lesion of the sellar region, formed from embryonic remnants. Most cases are asymptomatic although it could present with headache, pituitary dysfunction and visual disorders, very infrequently as pituitary stroke. We present the case of a patient who, having presented primary amenorrhea, is diagnosed with Rathke's cyst with hyperprolactinemia, achieving menarche after treatment with cabergoline.

Lesiones quísticas de línea media de base de cráneo anterior / Cystic lesions in midline of anterior skull base

Las lesiones quísticas en línea media del segmento posterior de la base de cráneo anterior corresponden mayoritariamente a malformaciones congénitas, cuya ubicación puede ser selar, supraselar o intraesfenoidal. Generalmente asintomáticas, pueden presentar síntomas determinados por su crecimiento y/o el compromiso mecánico sobre las estructuras adyacentes. Su diagnóstico suele realizarse producto de un hallazgo imagenológico o endoscópico, constituyendo la resonancia magnética la mejor alternativa ante una aproximación diagnóstica inicial. Estas lesiones quísticas presentan un comportamiento benigno y no todas requieren un manejo quirúrgico, siendo suficiente en la gran mayoría de ellas, un seguimiento clínico. La necesidad de cirugía deberá decidirse en cada caso y depende principalmente de la sintomatología producida por la compresión de estructuras vecinas e hipertensión endocraneana. El abordaje quirúrgico endoscópico extendido es el método resectivo de elección. Presentamos una serie de casos clínicos, correspondiente a cinco pacientes con lesiones quísticas en línea media de base de cráneo anterior. Tanto la sintomatología como el diagnóstico etiológico tuvieron una presentación diversa en la serie expuesta; independiente de lo cual, todos fueron manejados exitosamente por cirugía endoscópica. Presentamos finalmente, una propuesta de diagnóstico inicial, basado en el estudio imagenológico con resonancia magnética de estas lesiones.

Cystic lesions in the midline of the anterior skull base are rare and mostly congenital malformations. Usually asymptomatic, symptoms can be determined by their growth and/or mechanical compromise on adjacent structures. The diagnosis is usually the result of imaging or endoscopic findings, MRI is the best alternative for the initial diagnostic approach. These cystic lesions are benign xx and not all require a surgical management. Some of them require a watchfull follow up. If they need surgery the expanded endoscopic approach is the method of choice in our hands. We present a case series, correspondent to five patients with cystic lesions in the midline of the skull base. All these were successfully managed by an extended endoscopic approach. Finally, we presented a proposal for initial diagnosis approach, based on the MRI findings of these lesions.

Rathke's cleft cyst and partial feet adactyly: an unusual association

A 53 year-old woman presented a recurrent bifrontal headache of 2 years duration and bilateral progressive visual disturbance. The clinical and neurological examination showed a bilateral feet adactyly and bitemporal hemianopsia. The brain MRI demonstrated a Rathke's cleft cyst. The patient was operated by a transnasal endoscopic approach. It seems that this unusual association has never been described before.

Mulher de 53 anos com história recorrente de cefaléia com duração de 2 anos bilateral e progressiva, acompanhada de distúrbios visuais. O exame clinico e neurológico mostrou uma adactilia dos pés e hemianopsia bitemporal. A ressonância nuclear magnética cerebral mostrou um cisto de Rathke. A paciente foi operada por via transnasal endoscópica. Aparentemente esta é a primeira vez que esta associação é descrita na literatura.