Intrasellar paraganglioma: a case report and review of the literature

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2006 Dec;148(12):1311-4; discussion 1314. doi: 10.1007/s00701-006-0895-1. Epub 2006 Oct 17.

Abstract

Intrasellar paragangliomas are very rare lesions with only six previous cases described in the literature. We present a further case of intrasellar paraganglioma. The patient was a 52 yr-old man who developed two transient ischemic attacks. A CT scan showed an intra- and supra-sellar expanding lesion, which was regarded as a possible non-functioning pituitary macro-adenoma. Removal of the lesion was accomplished by transsphenoidal surgery. Histological examination was diagnostic of a paraganglioma. We review the literature and discuss pathological features and possible pathogenesis of sellar and parasellar paragangliomas, underlining the necessity to consider paraganglioma in the differential diagnosis of sellar lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Paraganglioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Paraganglioma / pathology*
  • Paraganglioma / surgery
  • Pituitary Gland / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Gland / pathology*
  • Pituitary Gland / surgery
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery
  • Sella Turcica / diagnostic imaging
  • Sella Turcica / pathology*
  • Sella Turcica / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins