Rathke cleft cysts.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Endocrinology
• Radiology

Background:

• Rathke cleft cysts are congenital anomalies arising from remnants of Rathke's pouch.
• These cysts can present with various clinical manifestations depending on their size and location.

Observation:

• Three cases of Rathke cleft cyst are presented with symptoms including visual disturbances and hypophyseal dysfunction.
• Two cases exhibited meningeal signs attributed to aseptic meningitis from cyst content leakage.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed specific imaging characteristics within the cysts.

Findings:

• CT scans showed enhanced capsules, high-density spotting within low-density areas, and enhanced regions in suprasellar or sellar locations.
• Electron microscopy identified cilia and coating material around microvilli-bearing cells.
• These findings suggest Rathke cleft cysts may originate as endodermal inclusions from the upper respiratory tract.

Implications:

• CT scanning can assist in differentiating Rathke cleft cysts from other sellar region lesions.
• Understanding the cyst's origin may provide insights into its pathogenesis and associated complications.
• Early diagnosis and characterization are crucial for managing visual and endocrine dysfunctions.