Case Of the Week (COW) 21 July 2013
Answer:
Intrasellar Rathke`s cleft cyst.
Findings:
Focal lesion noted in the right lateral aspect of anterior pituitary gland. It is hyperintense in TIW1 and hypointense in T2W1. These signal changes correspond to cystic lesion or Melanin.
Discussion:
Rathke's cleft cysts are less than 3 mm in diameter and are usually asymptomatic. Asymptomatic Rathke's cleft cysts are present in 13% to 22% of pituitary glands. Well defined non enhancing midline cyst within the sella arising between the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary. 40% are purely intrasellar and 60% have suprasellar extension. The signal intensities vary depending on protein content with 50% being hyperintense in TIWI and 30% hypointense in T2W1.
Contributed By:
Dr. Babu Peter MD, DNB
Associate Professor, Barnard Institute of Radiology
Senior Consultant radiologist, Aarthi scans, Chennai
Answer:
Intrasellar Rathke`s cleft cyst.
Findings:
Focal lesion noted in the right lateral aspect of anterior pituitary gland. It is hyperintense in TIW1 and hypointense in T2W1. These signal changes correspond to cystic lesion or Melanin.
Discussion:
Rathke's cleft cysts are less than 3 mm in diameter and are usually asymptomatic. Asymptomatic Rathke's cleft cysts are present in 13% to 22% of pituitary glands. Well defined non enhancing midline cyst within the sella arising between the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary. 40% are purely intrasellar and 60% have suprasellar extension. The signal intensities vary depending on protein content with 50% being hyperintense in TIWI and 30% hypointense in T2W1.
Contributed By:
Dr. Babu Peter MD, DNB
Associate Professor, Barnard Institute of Radiology
Senior Consultant radiologist, Aarthi scans, Chennai