Ruptured Rathke's cleft cyst: a possible cause of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome

Unexpected autopsy findings are presented of a patient who died suddenly after a 6-month history of progressive headaches, nausea, and vomiting. A ruptured Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) was identified within the adenohypophysis, with a chronic inflammatory reaction in surrounding pituitary and overlying hypothalamus. A brisk lymphoplasmacytic response was also seen in the cavernous sinuses bilaterally, identical to the pathology reported for idiopathic painful ophthalmoplegia, also called Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS). The pathogenesis of THS has not been elucidated; based on the findings in this report, it is suggested that some THS cases may result from a hyperimmune response to RCC rupture with extension into one or both cavernous sinuses. Although prompt alleviation of symptoms with corticosteroid treatment is generally encountered with THS, recurrence of symptoms is not uncommon. A careful search for a ruptured RCC should be undertaken in atypical cases of THS, with possible consideration of surgical intervention.