Ectopic pituitary neuroendocrine tumor arising in the sphenoid sinus with an avid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake masquerading as malignancy: A case report

Ectopic pituitary neuroendocrine tumor arising in the sphenoid sinus with an avid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake masquerading as malignancy: A case report

Ectopic pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are uncommon conditions that develop outside of the sella turcica. The sphenoid sinus is the most common site for ectopic PitNET, followed by the suprasellar region, clivus, and cavernous sinus. PitNETs, regardless of whether inside or outside sella,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yukiko Usui, MD, Ryo Kurokawa, MD, PhD, Takahiro Fukushima, MD, Richi Fujita, MD, Reina Hosoi, MD, Emi Miyawaki, MD, Michio Hayashi, MD, Sadahiro Kishisita, MD, Mariko Kurokawa, MD, Osamu Abe, MD, PhD, Haruyasu Yamada, MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-09-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
Subjects:
Ectopic PitNET
Ectopic pituitary adenoma
Sphenoid sinus
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake
18F-FDG PET/CT
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043323003564
Description
Summary:Ectopic pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are uncommon conditions that develop outside of the sella turcica. The sphenoid sinus is the most common site for ectopic PitNET, followed by the suprasellar region, clivus, and cavernous sinus. PitNETs, regardless of whether inside or outside sella, may display avid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and masquerade as malignant tumors. Herein, we report a case of ectopic PitNET arising in the sphenoid sinus, which was found as an FDG-avid mass during cancer screening. On magnetic resonance imaging, the tumor showed heterogeneous and intermediate signal intensity areas on T1- and T2-weighted images with cystic components, which was consistent with PitNET. The localization and the presence of empty sella were suggestive of ectopic PitNET, and the diagnosis of ectopic PitNET (prolactinoma) was confirmed by endoscopic biopsy. Ectopic PitNET should be considered in a mass similar in nature to an orthogonal PitNET in areas near the sella turcica especially in patients with empty sella.
ISSN:1930-0433

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