OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Primary intracranial neuroblastomas are rare. They generally arise in the supratentorial parenchyma or paraventricular region. Even more rare are primary sellar neuroblastomas. We present a neuroblastoma that arose in the sellar region and mimicked a non-functioning pituitary adenoma. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: This 33-year-old man presented with bitemporal hemianopsia. MRI showed a sellar mass with suprasellar extension mimicking a pituitary adenoma. INTERVENTION: Because of tumor recurrence and dissemination to the cervical region, he underwent 6 operations and radiosurgery. Detailed histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. Postoperative conventional radiotherapy was effective in reducing the size of the tumor. CONCLUSION: Neuroblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with sellar lesions.
OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Primary intracranial neuroblastomas are rare. They generally arise in the supratentorial parenchyma or paraventricular region. Even more rare are primary sellar neuroblastomas. We present a neuroblastoma that arose in the sellar region and mimicked a non-functioning pituitary adenoma. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: This 33-year-old man presented with bitemporal hemianopsia. MRI showed a sellar mass with suprasellar extension mimicking a pituitary adenoma. INTERVENTION: Because of tumor recurrence and dissemination to the cervical region, he underwent 6 operations and radiosurgery. Detailed histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. Postoperative conventional radiotherapy was effective in reducing the size of the tumor. CONCLUSION:Neuroblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with sellar lesions.
Authors: Nathan C Rowland; Jennifer Andrews; Daxa Patel; David V Laborde; Adam Nowlan; Bradley George; Claire Mazewski; Andrew Reisner; Howard M Katzenstein Journal: Case Rep Neurol Med Date: 2012-01-19