Xanthogranuloma of the sellar region: A case report

RATIONALE: Xanthogranuloma of the sellar region is exceedingly rare, and described in only a handful of case reports. Herein, we present a case of xanthogranuloma of the sellar region to improve our knowledge for the diagnosis and management of this unusual disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 50-year-old female presented with the symptoms of intermittent vomiting, occasional head discomfort, and diabetes insipidus of 1 month duration. DIAGNOSES: Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large well-defined, vase-like, heterogeneous mass in the sellar region. The lesion showed mixed signal with hierarchical signal presentation. Fluid-fluid level sign can be found within the lesion. The upper part of the lesion was hyperintense, and the lower part was hypointense on both T1-weighted images and T2-weighted images. The lesion showed no enhancement following the intravenous administration of gadolinium. The normal pituitary tissue was not clearly visible. Optic chiasm was compressed and displaced by the lesion. Initial diagnosis of pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhage in the sellar region was made before surgery. Final diagnosis of sellar xanthogranuloma was confirmed by histopathological examination after surgical resection. INTERVENTIONS: Gross total resection of the lesion was achieved using the microscope through endonasal transsphenoidal approach. OUTCOMES: The patient recovered well with improved binocular vision and no symptom of diabetes insipidus, and was discharged 5 days after operation. LESSONS: Sellar xanthogranuloma should receive diagnostic consideration for the lesion that is a heterogeneously mixed mass with a degree of T1-weighted images hyperintense in the sellar region.