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Duplicated pituitary gland and odontoid process. A case report
1Division of Internal Medicine, St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; Phoenix, AZ, USA - yosusta@hotmail.com.
The Neuroradiology Journal
|September 14, 2013
Summary
Pituitary gland duplication, a rare embryonic anomaly, offers insights into development. This case highlights a unique presentation without craniofacial abnormalities, challenging existing theories.
Area of Science:
- Embryology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Pituitary gland development is poorly understood.
- Pituitary duplication is a rare embryonic anomaly, with only ~40 cases reported since 1880.
- Most reported cases of pituitary duplication involve craniofacial or brain abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a unique case of pituitary duplication.
- To investigate the developmental origins of pituitary duplication.
- To challenge existing theories on pituitary malformations.
Main Methods:
- Case study of a 56-year-old woman.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the head and neck.
- Computed Tomography (CT) of the neck.
Main Results:
- Incidental discovery of pituitary infundibulum and fossa duplication.
- Congenital fusion of cervical vertebrae (C2-C3, C4-C5) and occipital bone (C1).
- Duplication of the odontoid process.
- Patient presented with paresthesia and numbness, with negative physical and laboratory findings.
Conclusions:
- This case presents a unique pituitary duplication without craniofacial abnormalities.
- The median cleft face syndrome theory may explain this patient's malformations.
- Anomalous presentations like this enhance understanding of pituitary and cranial development.
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