Sellar angiolipomas: two case reports and a review of the literature

Angiolipomas are mesenchymal hamartomas composed of abnormal blood vessels and mature adipose tissue, most commonly found in the subcutaneous tissue of the extremities. Intracranial location is extremely rare, and only five cases have been described in the sellar region. We report on two patients that were initially diagnosed with pituitary adenomas that were postoperatively verified as angiolipomas. Sellar angiolipomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pituitary lesions due to the potential catastrophic bleeding during surgery. Preoperative diagnosis is very difficult; however, some MRI characteristics can help make an accurate diagnosis. Adequate MRI sequences should be used in the evaluation of pituitary lesions, as they can help optimize the microsurgical management.