title: Primary sellar melanocytic tumor: report of new case and literature review.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Rangueil, 1 Avenue Jean-Poulhès TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vezzosi
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Capuani
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Loubes-Lacroix
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lagarrigue
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bennet
authors.forename: Marie Bernadette
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Delisle
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caron
mesh_terms: 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*