Symptomatic hypopituitarism revealing primary suprasellar lymphoma

• Published in: BMC endocrine disorders Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 19
• Main Authors: Fadoukhair, Zouhour, Amzerin, Mounia, Ismaili, Nabil, Belbaraka, Rhizlane, Latib, Rachida, Sbitti, Yassir, M'rabti, Hind, Boutayeb, Saber, Ichou, Mohammed, Errihani, Hassan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 29-11-2010; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Case Report; Case studies; Diagnosis; Hypopituitarism; Lymphomas; Magnetic resonance imaging; Risk factors
• ISSN: 1472-6823; 1472-6823
• DOI: 10.1186/1472-6823-10-19

The most common cause of hypopituitarism is pituitary adenoma. However, in the case of suprasellar masses different etiologies are possible. We report an unusual case of primary suprasellar lymphoma presented with hypopituitarism.
A 26 year old woman presented with amenorrhea, galactorrhea and neurological disorders. Also, the laboratory work-up revealed partial hypopituitarism. The magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed a suprasellar mass. A presumptive diagnosis of granulomatous processes was made and the patient was given steroid therapy. Repeated brain MRI detected new lesions in the brain with regression of the suprasellar mass. Stereotactic biopsy of the paraventricular lesion revealed the diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma.
This case presentation reports a rare cause of hypopituitarism. Primary suprasellar lymphoma is extremely rare and represented a real diagnostic challenge. Besides, suprasellar masses are varied in aetiology and can present diagnostic problems for a radiologist. Also, because of the increased incidence of PCNSL, lymphoma must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of lesions in the suprasellar region.