Primary sellar melanocytic tumor: report of new case and literature review.
BACKGROUND
Primary sellar melanocytic tumors are extremely rare, and they can mimic hormonally inactive pituitary macroadenoma both clinically and radiologically.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe a new case of primary sellar melanocytic tumor, and place it in the context of published literature.


METHODS
This is a case report.


METHODS
The case of a 61-year-old woman presenting with a 2-month history of fatigue and progressive bitemporal hemianopia is described. Endocrine investigation revealed anterior pituitary insufficiency and hyperprolactinemia without diabetes insipidus. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a sellar tumor mass with suprasellar extension compressing the optic chiasm, and intense gadolinium enhancement. Transsphenoidal surgical excision of the pituitary tumor was undertaken. Histological examination showed a melanocytic tumor. An extensive search failed to find evidence of any other primary or secondary site. Due to the presence of significant tumor residue at 3-month follow-up, another surgical resection was done followed by post-operative stereotactic radiotherapy of the sellar region.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary sellar melanocytic tumors are exceptional lesions presenting most often as a tumor syndrome and/or anterior pituitary insufficiency mimicking a non-secreting pituitary macroadenoma. The management of these tumors consists of surgical removal of the tumor. However, surgery is often incomplete and stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy is frequently indicated.
Vezzosi
Delphine
D
Department of Endocrinology, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Rangueil, 1 Avenue Jean-Poulhès TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
Capuani
Caroline
C
Loubes-Lacroix
Florence
F
Lagarrigue
Jacques
J
Bennet
Antoine
A
Delisle
Marie Bernadette
MB
Caron
Philippe
P
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000473:pathology*