title: Pituicytomas: radiological findings, clinical behavior and surgical management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pituicytomas are rare low-grade glial neoplasms originating in the neurohypophysis or infundibulum that appear as solid, noninfiltrative masses occupying the sella turcica, the suprasellar space or both. Due to their high tendency to bleed and the possible firmness and adhesion to surrounding structures, preoperative diagnosis of pituicytoma is a goal for the surgeon, but it is actually a challenge because of the absence of distinctive clinical or neuroradiological findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the new cases of three patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for suspected pituitary adenomas, which were determined to be pituicytomas at histological and immunohistochemical analysis. We also review previously reported cases of pituicytoma in the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To date, 51 cases of pituicytoma have been reported in addition to our own cases. The natural history and clinical characteristics of this rare tumor are outlined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Macroscopic aspects are variable, and final diagnosis is made from the typical histological and immunohistochemical pattern. The therapy of choice is gross total surgical resection since subtotal removal can lead to local regrowth, but the time to recurrence is unpredictable and highly variable. The role of adjuvant therapy is currently undefined.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, San Martino University Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Secci
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Merciadri
authors: Diego Criminelli
authors: DC
authors: Rossi
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: D'Andrea
authors: Gianluigi
authors: G
authors: Zona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography