Transsphenoidal removal of intrasellar pilocytic astrocytoma

Abstract

A 26-year-old man with a sellar pilocytic astrocytoma had a recurrent non-enhancing mass located in the sellar/suprasellar region visible on MRI. Due to tumor progression and worsening vision, the mass was completely resected through a transsphenoidal approach. Postoperatively, the patient’s vision improved and imaging showed complete removal of the tumor and optic pathway decompression. Pilocytic astrocytomas originating in suprasellar structures can intrude into the sella, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of intrasellar tumors. The transsphenoidal approach can be effective for resecting such tumors.