Granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis with optic tract edema

Granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis is a rare disease entity. To our knowledge, this is the first report concerning a granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis associated with optic tract edema. A 55-year-old man underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a medical check-up, and a suprasellar tumor was detected. Brain computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a well delineated, homogenous, slightly hyperdense suprasellar tumor. MRI detected a lobular tumor that was isointense on T1-weighted images, hypointense on T2-weighted images, and showed homogeneous enhancement after administration of a gadopentetate dimeglumine. T2-weighted images and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images demonstrated a hyperintense region in the optic tract. Subtotal tumor resection was performed, and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of granular cell tumor. Postoperative MRI showed that the tumor volume was reduced and optic tract edema diminished compared with the preoperative findings. We also review the literature focusing on radiographic findings, and compare the effectiveness of MRI and CT for diagnosing granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis.