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Large suprasellar aneurysms imitating pituitary tumour
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|January 1, 1978
Summary
Large suprasellar aneurysms can mimic pituitary tumors, causing vision loss due to compression. Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for visual recovery in these rare cases.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Vascular Neurology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
Background:
- Suprasellar aneurysms are rare cerebrovascular lesions.
- They can present atypically, mimicking sellar region masses like pituitary adenomas.
- Compression of adjacent neural structures, particularly the optic chiasm, can lead to significant visual deficits.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with large to giant (20-30 mm) suprasellar aneurysms.
- Clinical presentation mimicked an expanding pituitary tumor.
- One patient experienced a six-year diagnostic delay, resulting in severe chiasmal compression.
Findings:
- Large suprasellar aneurysms can cause optic nerve and chiasmal compression.
- Delayed diagnosis in one case led to irreversible visual field defects.
- Surgical intervention resulted in visual improvement for both patients.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering vascular lesions in the differential diagnosis of sellar masses.
- Emphasizes the need for timely neuroimaging and diagnosis to prevent permanent visual impairment.
- Surgical management of suprasellar aneurysms can restore visual function.