[Paragangliomas of the chiasma and sellar area]

The article describes five cases of rare cerebral tumors, paragangliomas of the chiasma-sellar area. Their clinical course characteristically begins with the appearance of endocrine disorders manifested by progressive hypophyseal insufficiency. Analysis of the clinical and X-ray signs of paragangliomas of the chiasma-sellar region show these to be similar to adenomas of the hypophysis. A specific feature of paragangliomas of the chiasma-sellar area is their rich vascularization, which is demonstrated by angiography and verified in all cases during operation. The rich vascularization of paragangliomas of the chiasma-sellar area calls for their rapid and complete removal so as to reduce the loss of blood and provide reliable hemostasis.