Glomangioma of the sella turcica

Abstract

Glomangiomas arise from specialized smooth muscle cells surrounding arteriovenous anastomoses (1), and occur most commonly in the sites where glomera are numerous, especially in the skin of nail beds, hands and feet. We report here a glomangioma in an unusual site, the sella turcica.A 42-year-old man complained of headaches and decreased visual acuity. Investigations revealed an intrasellar tumor with upward extension. There was no evidence of hormonal abnormality. After partial operative resection of the tumor, radiation therapy was administered. Two further surgical procedures were required for relief of symptoms caused by recurrent tumor.By light microscopy, the tumor was composed of sheets of epithelial cells and vascular channels lined by flat endothelium. Tumor cells had round, vesicular nuclei and homogeneous acidophilic cytoplasm. Mitotic figures were rare.