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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Hypopituitarism caused by neurocysticercosis
Theodoros Kelesidis1, Sotirios Tsiodras
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA. tkelesidis@mednet.ucla.edu
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|February 4, 2011
Summary
Neurocysticercosis affecting the pituitary gland is rare, with few reported cases of hypopituitarism. This study presents a case mimicking a pituitary adenoma, suggesting conservative management for intrasellar cysts.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection of the central nervous system.
- Pituitary and hypothalamic NCC is exceptionally rare, with fewer than 10 reported cases.
- Hypopituitarism secondary to NCC is extremely rare, with only two prior cases documented.
Observation:
- This report details a case of NCC in a young patient presenting with hypopituitarism.
- The clinical presentation mimicked a pituitary adenoma.
- The lesion was located within the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
Findings:
- The study highlights the rarity of pituitary/hypothalamic NCC and associated hypopituitarism.
- There is a lack of clinical experience and evidence regarding cysticidal drug efficacy for intrasellar/suprasellar cysts.
- Spontaneous resolution of enhancing cystic lesions is common.
Implications:
- Conservative management may be indicated for intrasellar or suprasellar NCC cysts.
- The risks of treatment may outweigh the benefits, especially given the potential for spontaneous resolution.
- Further research is needed to guide treatment strategies for this rare condition.
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