Surgical approach to the treatment of pituicytoma. Report of five cases and a literature review

Abstract

BackgroundPituicytoma (PTs) is a rare tumor of the sella and suprasellar region, derived from the pituicytes of the neurohypophysis, having distinct histological characteristics of glial neoplasms. We reported, the clinical data, neuroimaging studies, surgical approaches and pathology in five patients with PTs and also, we reviewed the literature. MethodsRetrospective chart from five consecutive patients with PTs treated at one University Hospital from 2016 to 2021 were reviewed. In addition, we conducted a search in PubMed/Medline databases using the term “Pituicytoma”. Data regarding age, gender, pathological findings, and treatment modality applied were extracted. ResultsAll patients were female, aged 29–63, complaining of headaches, visual loss and field defects, dizziness and normal or abnormal levels of circulating pituitary hormones. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed in all patients a sellar and suprasellar mass, which was removed through an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. Our third patient had a subtotal resection followed by close observation. Histopathology showed a glial non-infiltrative tumors with spindle cells, and a final diagnosis of pituicytoma was made. After surgery, visual field defects in all patients were normalized, and in two patients normal levels of plasma hormones were restored. After a mean of three years follow-up, the patients were managed post-operatively through close clinical observation and serial MRI. None of the patients had recurrence of the disease. ConclusionPTs is a rare glial tumor of the sellar and suprasellar region that arises from neurohypophyseal pituicytes. Disease control may be achieved by total excision.