Intrasellar paraganglioma: a case report and review of the literature

• Published in: Acta neurochirurgica Vol. 148; no. 12; pp. 1311 - 1314
• Main Authors: Boari, N, Losa, M, Mortini, P, Snider, S, Terreni, M R, Giovanelli, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austria Springer Nature B.V 01.12.2006
• Subjects: 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
• ISSN: 0001-6268; 0942-0940
• DOI: 10.1007/s00701-006-0895-1

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.