Primary angioleiomyoma in the sellar region: a case report and literature review.
OBJECTIVE
Angioleiomyoma (vascular leiomyomas, angiomyoma) is a rare, benign soft tissue tumor which consists of a mixture of well-differentiated smooth muscle cells and thick-walled vessels. Here we report a case of angioleiomyoma in the sellar region, which is the first case report of angioleiomyoma at this anatomical location.


METHODS
A 53-year-old man was admitted with a medical history of three months episodic headache and one month visual deterioration, both of which progressed gradually. The neurological examination showed nothing remarkable except a slightly decreased adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) level. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pituitary apoplexy. Gross total resection of the tumor was then performed.


RESULTS
Histological and immunohistochemical studies showed a typical microscopic appearance of an angioleiomyoma present in a rather uncommon place. The pertinent literature regarding the features of this tumor was reviewed and discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Intracranial angioleiomyoma is a benign soft tissue tumor with excellent prognosis. Early diagnosis of this tumor is difficult.
Xu
Y
Y
Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, PR China.
Jing
Y
Y
Ma
S
S
Ma
F
F
Wang
Y
Y
Ma
W
W
Li
Q
Q
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D018229:Angiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011379:Prognosis
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone