Suprasellar hamartoma and arachnoid cyst

Abstract

Objective: The differential diagnosis for suprasellar masses includes a variety of pathologies, ranging from stable and benign lesions to aggressive and malignant ones. We report a case of a suprasellar hamartoma associated with an arachnoid cyst and review the literature surrounding the topic.

Case description: A 32-year-old man who presented with headaches and nonspecific vision loss was found to have a cystic, calcified, and minimally contrast enhancing lesion of the suprasellar region. Intraoperative inspection revealed a discrete mass in the right side of suprasellar region that resembled normal brain completely enveloped by the basal arachnoid membranes including the membrane of Lillequist and was not connected to the brain. Fenestration and exploration of the cystic portion demonstrated a simple arachnoid cyst filled with what appeared to be cerebrospinal fluid. Given the adherence of the lesion to numerous perforating arteries arising from the posterior communicating artery, a biopsy with intraoperative confirmation was taken. Pathology was consistent with neuroglial tissue without evidence of neoplasia.

Conclusions: To our knowledge this is only the third case of an isolated suprasellar hamartoma described in the literature and the first of its kind to be associated with an arachnoid cyst.

Keywords: CSF; CT; Cerebrospinal fluid; Computed tomography; Craniopharyngiomas; Hamartomas; MRI; Magnetic resonance imaging; Suprasellar cyst.