Sellar lymphoma mimicking sphenoid infection presenting with cavernous sinus syndrome

Abstract

Lymphomas can occur throughout the body, but are relatively rare in the sphenoid region. The clinical presentations are atypical, ranging from nasal symptoms, pituitary hormone dysfunction and neurological impairment. We report a 63-year-old female patient who suffered nasal discharge, retro-ocular pain and left lateral gaze palsy for 3 months. Cranial MRI revealed sellar and suprasellar lesions involving the clivus, cavernous sinus and sphenoid sinus. The patient was treated for chronic sphenoid sinusitis. Histopathological review for possible misdiagnosis was arranged owing to treatment failure 1 month later. The final diagnosis was primary large B-cell lymphoma, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical study and systemic survey. The symptoms of sellar lymphoma resemble those of chronic sphenoid sinusitis. MRI and hematoxylin and eosin histological examination can accurately diagnose most cases. Immunohistochemistry assay is recommended in equivocal cases and provides a more detailed tumor classification.