IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Ecchordosis physaliphora

Case contributed by Andrew Lawson
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Incidental finding during work-up for a pituitary lesion.

Patient Data

Age: 40
Gender: Male
mri

The hypoenhancing pituitary lesion measuring 6 x 7 x 7 mm is unchanged in appearance and size. The pituitary gland is bulky with a convex contour superiorly but there is no contact or exert mass effect on the optic nerves or chiasm. The cavernous sinuses enhance normally. The infundibulum is mildly deviated to the right, unchanged.

The T2 hyperintense lesion of the dorsum sellae is unchanged (stable over 3 years), with loss of normal fat signal and cortical destruction posteriorly. Mild enhancement.

Conclusion:

1. Stable pituitary adenoma.

2. the lesion related to the dorsum sella represents an ecchordosis physaliphora. Slightly unusual that is demonstrates some ill defined enhancement.

ct

Erosions demonstrated on CT.

Case Discussion

Benign nodule of tissue in prepontine cistern dorsal to clivus considered to be ectopic notochordal remnant.

Top differential diagnoses:

Pathology

  • Few clear cells ("physaliphorous cells") surrounded by chondromyxoid stroma.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.