Apoplexy in sellar metastasis: a case report and review of literature

Turk Neurosurg. 2011;21(2):230-4. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.2716-09.1.

Abstract

Apoplexy in sellar metastasis is very rare with only a few case reports in literature. A case of apoplexy in sellar metastasis from follicular thyroid carcinoma is reported and the literature is briefly reviewed. The patient presented with sudden onset headache and bi-lateral loss of vision following thyroidectomy in a case of follicular carcinoma thyroid with proven sellar metastasis. CT scan showed hyperdense blood in sellar mass suggestive of apoplexy in sellar metastasis. The patient underwent early trans-sphenoidal decompression. Apoplexy in sellar metastasis, although very rare, can be clinico-radiologically indistinguishable from pituitary apoplexy and should be especially considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with known primary neoplastic disease. In view of similar patho-physiological mechanism, sellar metastasis with apoplexy should be managed in a similar manner as pituitary apoplexy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / secondary*
  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Radiography
  • Sella Turcica / diagnostic imaging
  • Sella Turcica / pathology*
  • Stroke / etiology*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology