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Pharyngosellar pituitary: a rare developmental anomaly of the pituitary gland
A Hori1, D Schmidt, B Feyerabend
1Institut für Neuropathologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany.
Insights
A rare pharyngosellar pituitary malformation was found in a fetus. This congenital condition showed abnormal pituitary gland development and irregular hormone-producing cell distribution during early gestation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Endocrinology
- Teratology
Background:
- The pituitary gland is crucial for endocrine regulation.
- Congenital pituitary malformations are rare but can have significant health implications.
- Understanding pituitary development is key to diagnosing and managing related disorders.
Observation:
- A unique case of pharyngosellar pituitary malformation is presented in a 17-week male fetus.
- The anterior pituitary gland showed an abnormal extension from the pharyngeal roof to the sella turcica.
- The fetus also presented with encephalocele and amnion adhesion malformation syndrome.
Findings:
- The malformed pituitary gland exhibited an irregular distribution of hormone-producing cells.
- Cells producing thyrotropic hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were scarce in the sellar and middle pituitary sections.
- These hormone-producing cells were primarily concentrated in the pharyngeal section of the malformed gland.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare pituitary developmental anomaly.
- The findings suggest a critical period for pituitary teratogenesis between weeks 4 and 8 of gestation.
- Further research into the etiology and consequences of pharyngosellar pituitary malformations is warranted.
Abstract:
A rare malformation of the pituitary gland, termed pharyngosellar pituitary, is reported. The anterior pituitary gland was continuous from the pharyngeal roof to the sella turcica. This was found in a male fetus of gestational week 17 with an encephalocele and amnion adhesion malformation syndrome. The distribution of hormone-producing cells in the malformed pituitary tissue was irregular: thyrotropic hormone-, follicle-stimulating hormone- and luteinizing hormone-producing cells were nearly absent in the sellar and middle sections of the pituitary but were found in small numbers mainly in the pharyngeal section of the pituitary. The teratogenic determination period was estimated at between weeks 4 and 8 of gestation.