Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are non-neoplastic, sellar or suprasellar epithelium-lined cysts originating from Rathke's pouch in the pituitary gland. Patients with RCCs are usually asymptomatic, but some have only been identified when symptoms manifested in middle age. The characteristics of these patients during childhood or adolescence remains unknown. We describe an 18-year-old girl who had occasionally suffered from malicious fatigue in the morning since her early teens. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed T1 hyperintense/T2 hypointense signals between the anterior and posterior pituitary glands, indicating the presence of RCC. Based on an authentic endocrinological evaluation, her adrenal function seemed normal; nevertheless, her serum cortisol level strangely dropped around noon. Furthermore, daily supplementation of oral hydrocortisone bizarrely suppressed ACTH secretion to below the detection range in the morning. These data appeared compatible with the presence of central adrenal dysfunction. We also review the literature for previously reported cases. In conclusion, the symptoms and endocrinological data for dysfunction of the hypothalamic pituitary system might be non-specific and vary among patients, especially in teenagers. Brain MRI and daily cortisol profiling in blood are key to obtaining a diagnosis of an impaired hypothalamic adrenal function due to RCC.
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Cureus
December 2024
Department of Technology and Clinical Trials, Advanced Research, Deerfield Beach, USA.
This paper investigates the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance the differentiation of cystic lesions in the sellar region, such as pituitary adenomas, Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) and craniopharyngiomas (CP), through the use of advanced neuroimaging techniques, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The goal is to explore how AI-driven models, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs), deep learning, and ensemble methods, can overcome the limitations of traditional diagnostic approaches, providing more accurate and early differentiation of these lesions. The review incorporates findings from critical studies, such as using the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS) dataset (Kaggle, San Francisco, USA) for MRI-based brain research, highlighting the significance of statistical rigor and automated segmentation in developing reliable AI models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Neurosci
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Background: Craniopharyngiomas are epithelial tumors derived from the remnants of the Rathke pouch, while Rathke cleft cysts (RCC) are benign cystic lesions originating from the Rathke pouch itself [1]. Rathke cleft cysts comprise 10-15% of the hypophyseal tumors, while craniopharyngiomas are relatively rare, comprising only 2-5% of intracranial tumors [2]. Both located in the sellar and parasellar regions and share clinical symptoms including headache, visual disturbances, and endocrine dysfunction [3].
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurosurg Rev
December 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are benign, cystic lesions that account for less than 5% of cases in the pediatric population. While asymptomatic RCCs often require only conservative management, symptomatic cases may necessitate surgical intervention. Advances in surgical techniques have improved the safety of these procedures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPituitary
December 2024
Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
Purpose: Rathke's cleft cysts (RCC) are present in up to 20% of autopsy studies but only a minority necessitate surgical treatment. Inflammation of RCC is thought to be significant in three processes: the development of classical symptoms, a predisposition to rupture or apoplexy, and increasing the rate of RCC recurrence. We aim to characterize clinical presentation, histological and radiological findings in patients with surgically managed RCC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPituitary
December 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.
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