Observations placeholder
Xanthogranulomatous hypophysitis mimicking a pituitary neoplasm
Identifier
023521
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, cancer cells, and anything else that does not have the types of proteins specific of healthy body cells on its surface in a process called phagocytosis. These large phagocytes are found in essentially all tissues, where they patrol for potential pathogens by amoeboid movement.
In other words, there was a pathogen of some sort present, the immune system had defeated it, but the battlefield was littered with the results of the battle.
A description of the experience
Endocr Pathol. 2004 Winter;15(4):351-7.
Xanthogranulomatous hypophysitis mimicking a pituitary neoplasm.
Yokoyama S1, Sano T, Tajitsu K, Kusumoto K.
- 1Division of Neurosurgery, Nanpuh Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan. s-yokoyama@nanpuh.or.jp
Abstract
Hypophysitis is an inflammatory disease of the pituitary gland that clinically and radiologically mimics pituitary tumors. We report here a case of xanthogranulomatous hypophysitis mimicking a pituitary neoplasm.A 65-yr-old woman presented with weight loss, fatigue, and visual disturbance. Computed tomography demonstrated a round cystic low-density mass with calcification in the sella. A T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan showed most of the mass as hyperintense. The capsule of the mass was strongly enhanced by gadolinium. Endocrinologic examination revealed hypocorticism and hypothyroidism. Diabetes insipidus (DI) developed after the administration of hydrocortisone. The patient also had hallucination and delusions of persecution. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed. Histologic examination of the removed tissue showed central necrosis surrounded by accumulation of foamy cells and epithelioid cells. Several multinucleated giant cells were also seen. The foamy cells and epithelioid cells were immunopositive for Kp-1, a marker of macrophages. The patient made an uneventful postoperative recovery. Although DI and hypofunction of adenohypophysis persisted, the visual disturbance and psychiatric disorder were resolved. We have described an unusual inflammatory lesion of the pituitary in the sellar region that was mimicking neoplasm. A high level of clinical suspicion of inflammatory disorders is necessary for correct diagnosis and optimal management.
PMID:
15681860