Open AccessIntrasellar Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma: Case Report
Author(s) -
Kazunori Arita,
Kaoru Kurisu,
Atsushi Tominaga,
Kazuhiko Sakamoto,
Masayuki Sumida,
Takanori Hirose
Publication year - 2002
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 - 10.1097/00006123-200210000-00042
Subject(s) - pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma , vimentin , medicine , glial fibrillary acidic protein , pathology , magnetic resonance imaging , posterior pituitary , differential diagnosis , presentation (obstetrics) , anatomy , pituitary gland , immunohistochemistry , radiology , astrocytoma , glioma , cancer research , hormone
OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE A patient with a primary intrasellar pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma is described. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 78-year-old woman experienced slowly progressing bilateral visual disturbance. Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging scans indicated a well-enhanced tumor occupying intra- and suprasellar spaces with displacement of the pituitary gland anteriorly. INTERVENTION Partial resection of the tumor via the transsphenoidal route brought about improvement of the patient's visual disturbance. The tumor was conspicuously pleomorphic and composed of plump to spindle-shaped large and bizarre cells with single or multiple nuclei and lipid-laden foamy cytoplasm. The neoplastic cells were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100 protein, and vimentin. The MIB-1 antibody labeling index was very low (<1%) CONCLUSION Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of tumors arising in the posterior hypophysis.