Presentation
Incidental finding on CT scan of pituitary region mass.
Patient Data
A suprasellar mass of 8.9 x 7.8 x 9.3 mm displaces the infundibulum posteriorly, indents the superior surface of the pituitary gland, is mildly T1 hypointense, with no central enhancement. The pituitary is normal. The mass is contiguous with the undersurface of the anterior optic chiasm without significant compression.
The remainder of the imaged brain (please note this study has been targeted to the pituitary, and as such the whole brain has not been imaged) appears unremarkable.
Conclusion:
Suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst is the favored diagnosis, particularly with normal clinical examination and pituitary function. The main differential diagnosis would be from a craniopharyngioma, but is considered much less likely.
Case Discussion
Although morphologically typical imaging features, the site being predominantly suprasellar is uncommon.