Rathke's Cyst Research Articles

Cysts of sellar and pharyngeal hypophyses

The incidence, sites and dimensions of cysts in a series of sellar and pharyngeal hypophyses are reported. Most cysts in the sellar hypophysis are Rathke cysts. The possible modes of development of cysts in the pharyngeal hypophysis are discussed and it is concluded that a common control mechanism determines the accumulation of colloid in adenohypophysial tissue. It is suggested that a local, possibly developmental, factor determines the site of cyst formation. The incidence, sites and dimensions of cysts in a series of sellar and pharyngeal hypophyses are reported. Most cysts in the sellar hypophysis are Rathke cysts. The possible modes of development of cysts in the pharyngeal hypophysis are discussed and it is concluded that a common control mechanism determines the accumulation of colloid in adenohypophysial tissue. It is suggested that a local, possibly developmental, factor determines the site of cyst formation.

FIELDS OF VISION IN CASES OF TUMOR OF RATHKE'S POUCH

In 1939 Love, Shelden and Kernohan 1 published a report on 11 consecutive cases of tumor of the hypophysial duct (Rathke's cyst) with particular emphasis on the surgical treatment of this growth. They stated that gradually developing atrophy of the optic nerve was present in 8 cases and papilledema in 3. The defects in the fields of vision were bitemporal in 6 and homonymous in 4. The central vision and fields of vision of a child of 5 years could not be obtained accurately. On reviewing reports of individual cases and analysis of groups of cases, we observed the great variability of the ophthalmologic features of this type of tumor. We were impressed also by the generally pessimistic attitude of neurosurgeons toward the surgical treatment from the standpoint both of operative and of postoperative mortality and of the effect of operation on preservation or improvement of vision. To clarify our