Pituitary stalk tuberculoma.
Pituitary tuberculomas are exceptionally rare. Even with no evidence of systemic tuberculosis, it is important to recognize these lesions in the differential diagnosis of the intrasuprasellar tumors because they are curable. At present, in developed countries the frequency of intracranial tuberculomas of nervous system tumors is around 0.5-4%, whereas in under developed countries is 15-30%. It mainly affects children and young adults. In some cases, an accurate diagnosis may lead to an efficient medical therapy on the basis of biological, hormonal and imaging scans examinations. The case we studied shows the difficulties encountered in the diagnosis of a thickened stalk having normal pituitary image. It is to be highlighted the usage of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique.
Stalldecker
Graciela
G
Endocrinology Unit, Hospital. Gral. de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Monroe 3550, Buenos Aires, Argentina. gstall@ciudad.com.ar
Diez
Sabrina
S
Carabelli
Alejandra
A
Reynoso
Roxana
R
Rey
Raul
R
Hofmann
Nestor
N
Beresñak
Alejandro
A
D000293:Adolescent; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016862:Tuberculoma, Intracranial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial