Ectopic pituitary adenomas: common presentations of a rare entity

Abstract

Purpose: Ectopic pituitary adenomas (EPA) are rare tumors thought to arise from embryological remnants along the route of normal pituitary migration. Clinically, these tumors vary in hormonal activity and can exert mass effect based on location and size.

Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with diagnosis of ectopic pituitary adenoma from 2001 to 2018.

Results: Five patients were identified with EPA: a 48-year-old woman with suprasellar EPA treated with transsphenoidal removal of the tumor, a 44-year-old woman with cavernous EPA treated with transsphenoidal removal of the tumor, a 48-year-old woman with sphenoid EPA treated with cabergoline, a 45-year-old man with clival EPA treated with cabergoline and transsphenoidal surgical resection, and a 54-year-old man with clival EPA treated with cabergoline therapy.

Conclusions: EPA should be considered as a differential diagnosis of juxta-sellar lesions. Appropriate hormonal testing may lead to early diagnosis, avoidance of unnecessary biopsy or surgery, and improved outcomes.

Keywords: Clival pituitary adenoma; Ectopic pituitary adenoma; Extrasellar pituitary adenoma; Prolactinoma; Sphenoid pituitary adenoma; Suprasellar pituitary adenoma.