Pituicytoma

• Published in: Surgical neurology international Vol. 1; no. 1; p. 79
• Main Authors: Brandão, Rafael Augusto Castro Santiago, Braga, Moises Heleno Vieira, de Souza, Atos Alves, Reis, Baltazar Leão, Faraj de Lima, Franklin Bernardes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Medknow Publications 13-12-2010
• Subjects: Case Report; pituicytes; pituicytoma; Glioma; pituitary tumors; hypophysis; pituitary gland; neurohypophyseal tumor
• ISSN: 2152-7806; 2229-5097; 2152-7806
• DOI: 10.4103/2152-7806.73802

Pituicytomas originate from pituicytes, modified glial cells derived from ependymal lineage that are found in the stalk and posterior lobe of pituitary gland. The clinical presentation is similar to other pituitary tumors and imaging exams may suggest pituitary adenoma. The diagnostic is based on histopathological analysis. Surgical treatment can be performed by transsphenoidal approach with good results. The prognostic is good after total tumor resection.
We describe here the case of a 17-year-old patient with a history of persistent headache and visual disturbances. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an enhancing solid sellar mass suggestive of pituitary adenoma. The intrasellar mass was resected through a transsphenoidal approach and the diagnosis of pituicytoma was made after histopathological analysis.
Pituicytomas are rare tumors of the neurohypophysis derived from pituicytes. Their clinical presentation resembles that of non-functional pituitary adenomas, but these two types of tumors are histologically well distinct.