Open AccessPrimary Pituitary Carcinoma: A Clinical Pathological Study
Author(s) -
Kenneth Nudleman,
BongKyoo Choi,
John A. Kusske
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
neurosurgery/neurosurgery online
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.485
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1081-1281
pISSN - 0148-396X
DOI - 10.1097/00006123-198501000-00021
Subject(s) - medicine , sella turcica , autopsy , pathological , pathology , endocrine system , pituitary gland , pituitary tumors , lesion , lung , external ophthalmoplegia , radiology , hormone , biochemistry , chemistry , gene , mitochondrial dna
A 60-year-old woman presented with a history of headache and rapidly progressive complete bilateral ophthalmoplegia. Her endocrine function was normal. Radiographic studies revealed signs of diffuse destruction of the sella turcica by a tumor without suprasellar extension. Biopsies of the lesion within the sphenoid sinus demonstrated the presence of a primary pituitary carcinoma; autopsy findings revealed metastatic deposits in the liver, kidney, and lung. The histological characteristics of these cells and the electron microscopic findings confirmed that the tumor can first manifest themselves by the rapid development of unilateral or bilateral ophthalmoplegia; this diagnosis should be considered in all individuals with such a syndrome. (Neurosurgery 16:90–95,1985)