Pituicytoma: A rare tumor of the sella. A case report and review of literature for diagnosis and management

Abstract

Background: Pituicytomas are rare tumors of the pituitary gland derived from the ependymal cells and line the pituitary stalk and posterior lobe. These tumors are located in the vulnerable regions of the brain: Either in the sellar or suprasellar area. The location marks the difference in the clinical features of the tumor. Here, we report a case of histopathologically diagnosed pituicytoma of the sellar region. Literature is also reviewed and discussed to gain a better understanding of this rare disease. Case Description: A 24-year-old female presented to the outpatient department with complaints of headache, diplopia, dizziness, and decreased vision in the right eye for 6 months. Computed tomography scan brain without contrast showed a well-defined hyperdense lesion in the sella without associated bony erosion. Her magnetic resonance imaging showed well defined rounded lesion in the pituitary fossa which was isointense on T1-weighted image and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. A presumptive diagnosis of pituitary adenoma was made. She underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection of pituitary mass. Intraoperatively, normal pituitary gland was visualized and there was a grayish-green-colored, jelly like tumor which was pulled gently. On 9th postoperative day, she presented with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. She underwent endoscopic CSF leak repair. Her histopathology was concluded to be Pituicytoma. Conclusion: Pituicytoma is an uncommon diagnosis. The surgical aim is to completely excise the tumor which results in complete cure, but incomplete resection may be performed due to high vascularity of this tumor. In case of incomplete excision, recurrence is common and adjuvant radiotherapy may be administered.