Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting ectopic pituitary adenoma of the nasopharynx
Suetaka Nishiike1, Ke-ita Tatsumi2, Takashi Shikina3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan; Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka Rosai Hospital, Sakai, Japan.
Abstract:
Thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting ectopic pituitary adenoma of the nasopharynx is highly unusual, with only three reported cases in the world literature. We describe the clinical presentation and radiologic findings in one patient with such rare lesions. A 46-year-old male with typical symptoms of Grave's disease was found to have a mass on magnetic resonance imaging. An otolaryngologic examination revealed a nasopharyngeal mass lesion, which was endoscopically resected. The results of immunohistochemical staining for thyroid-stimulating hormone were positive. After the resection, the patient's TSH was within normal limits. The clinical significance of the case and a brief literature review are presented.
Related Concept Videos
Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
The Thyroid Gland
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology
Goiter
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...

