[A case of intrasellar and suprasellar meningioma with hypopituitarism]

A case of intrasellar and suprasellar meningioma with hypopituitarism is reported. A-64-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chief complaints of reduced consciousness and inactivity. She had a history of subarachnoid hemorrhage 20 years previously, and developed right third nerve palsy. Physical examination demonstrated that, in consciousness, she was stuporous, and she had impaired visual acuity and palsy in the right third nerve. An X-ray film of the sella turcica showed enlargement and intrasellar calcification. A CT scan with contrast enhancement revealed a homogenously enhanced mass in the sella and suprasellar region. A cerebral angiogram showed elevation of the bilateral A1 portion of the anterior cerebral artery. No tumor blush was evident. Endocrinologic function tests confirmed impaired anterior lobe hormones and hypothyroidism. Preoperative diagnosis was pituitary adenoma. The tumor was subtotally removed by using the transsphenoidal approach and right frontotemporal craniotomy was carried out using microsurgery in a two staged operation. The tumor was yellowish-grey, partly firm in consistency, and it had a soft elasticity. Operative findings showed that the dura matter of the tuberculum sella, the anterior and posterior clinoid process, the medial sphenoidal ridge, and the wall of the cavernous sinus were intact, which was confirmed at autopsy, later. Microscopical examination revealed a mixed meningothelial and fibroblastic meningioma with papillary component and psammomatous bodies. The tumor was thought to originate in the diaphragma sella, and to extend in intrasellar and suprasellar directions. The patient died of basilar artery thrombosis. In clinical and radiological examination, there is no definite difference between pituitary adenoma and intrasellar meningioma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)